The RM of Montcalm has joined the list of municipalities experiencing difficulties with frozen pipes.

Deputy Reeve Gerald Houle estimates around 20 homes and businesses have been affected.

"We're trying to thaw them out," he said. "We have a couple of different people that come and thaw out the lines, if we can. If we can't then we piggyback onto the neighbour."

He says residents are hooking up temporary water lines to nearby homes that are not affected.

The RM does not own a thawing machine but has been hiring professionals to come out and do the job.

Houle notes they have asked a few at risk locations to continuously drip water, but says not all residents have been advised to do that.

"No, because the water bills are going to add up pretty fast and we don't want to end up overloading our sewer system. We're not suggesting that everyone does that, no."