By Rosalind Russell – When a water main breaks in winter, it can be much harder to repair because of the frozen ground, according to Espanola Public Works Superintendent Dave Parker.
Parker asked council for their approval to spend just over $36,000 for a pin grabber and hydraulic breaker.
He says a hydraulic breaker is an attachment to an excavator or backhoe used to break frost, concrete, and rock, while the pin grabber allows for the quick change of attachments.
He explains that during emergency water main repairs in the winter months, the equipment is required to penetrate the frost at the road surface to excavate down to the broken main.
The equipment was approved for nearly $33,000 in the 2026 budget, so the balance will come from reserves.
Council approved the expenditure, and Parker has been given the go-ahead to purchase the equipment from Toromont Industries Limited for $36,140.00 (2-year warranty).
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