A frozen water line resulted in the closure of a section of Court Street in downtown Binghamton.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Eastbound traffic was detoured at the roundabout onto Chenango or Exchange streets on Wednesday.

City and contractor crews worked to deal with a frozen line that knocked out service to 103 Court Street.

Jeff Kruger, a Binghamton water supervisor, says the city has been receiving about three reports of frozen water lines daily from customers.

Kruger estimates repair crews responded to more than 20 frozen service complaints over the past week. He says this has been an "exceptional winter" with prolonged cold resulting in more water line problems than usual.

Kruger says if people have had problems with frozen water lines in the past, it'll probably happen again this winter because of the extended periods of frigid conditions.

Kruger says those who've had previous trouble with freezing lines might be able to avert a recurrence by keeping a small stream of water running in a "dependable location" with no drainage problems.

People also are advised to make sure basements and other areas where pipes are located are heated properly. A towel or blanket can be placed around a water meter to provide some additional insulation that could help prevent freezing.

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