The provincial government is being asked to step in and help municipalities with the added costs of thawing out and repairing frozen water pipes.
Kincardine council agreed to send a letter to the Ministry of the Environment, asking for financial assistance as they continue to receive reports of water services freezing.
Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Faubert says it's too early to know exactly how much the bitterly cold winter has cost taxpayers, but estimates the cost is into six figures.
"I'm sure with the emergency personnel that we've had to call in, with the equipment that we've had to use as well as the people power time, it's very close to hundreds of thousands," says Faubert.
Council also approved spending close to $50,000 for an emergency water main replacement in downtown Kincardine.
Faubert says they will also be asking the province to set up a special fund to help municipalities when faced with unique circumstances like frozen water pipes.
Public works officials told council the number of reported frozen water lines climbed to 133 after a new case was reported earlier this week. All but 25 users have had their water restored, while council continues to make vouchers available for bottled water for those who do not have running water.
Municipal water users are being urged to continue running a faucet until further notice.
