By Lara Fominoff - @fomsy1 on Twitter

Melting and freezing conditions likely to keep city crews busy

Jan 16, 2017 | 4:25 AM

LETHBRIDGE – City crews will have their hands full over the next week , trying to keep grates, gutters and catch basins clear of ice and debris.

Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures to be well above the freezing mark during the daytime, meaning a freezing and melting cycle may occur, leaving many areas extremely slippery or a melting, mushy mess.

Parks Operations Coordinator Ron Tinordi says unlike snow events, there is no requirement for homeowners to clear the gutters or catchbasins near their properties.

“There is no bylaw requirement, having people clearing drains,” Tinordi explained. “When they do so, it’s out of the kindness of their heart.”

Still, if residents are inclined to do so, he has some tips.

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“Make sure the gutters are clear, you know, curblines, when they shovel the sidewalk to have a place for the water to run and go down the street to get to the catch basins,” he said.

Tinordi cautions people throughout the city to wear appropriate footwear, because of the freezing and melting cycle could make sidewalks, pathways and other areas extremely slippery.

He adds his crews will be going from trying to keep up with clearing all of the snow that’s fallen over the last couple of months, to making sure it doesn’t create pooling conditions that block gutters and drains.