Standing column wells (SCW) have shown to be a cost-effective hybrid ground heat exchanger (GHE) configuration suitable for high-density urban areas as they benefit from groundwater advection while not requiring particularly productive aquifers. However, operating SCWs in cold climates can represent a control challenge since the groundwater can approach freezing conditions while recirculating; on the other hand, submersible pumps can cause a significant power usage. This article explores the potential of a heuristic predictive pumping control strategy built with an accurately calibrated white-box model of a real case study in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Results show that it can be used to both contain pumping power and safely operate the SCWs without using an electric boiler as anti-freezing protection. In an exceptionally cold month, the predictive control strategy effectively prevents the boiler intervention, resulting in a 3.25 times reduction in peak power, with a slight increase in energy use (5.75%). In less extreme winter weather, the energy usage difference will be smaller, but the reactive control will likely use the boiler whenever the weather gets particularly cold. This study provides the basis for the development of predictive control rules that may be easily implemented in similar configurations.