How do public water pipes not freeze in very cold weather? If house pipes freeze easily when there isn’t enough heat to keep the water in a liquid state, then why don’t pipes under the street freeze?

Question

How do public water pipes not freeze in very cold weather? If house pipes freeze easily when there isn’t enough heat to keep the water in a liquid state, then why don’t pipes under the street freeze?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Here in Alberta (Canada) the frost can reach 4′ so we bury pipes (and building foundations) lower than that so they aren’t exposed to freezing temperatures. Pipes are generally buried quite a bit deeper than that…up to 8′ or even more.