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PUC weekly activity notice

NEWS RELEASE PUC SERVICES ************************* PUC wishes to advise the public of the following activities for the week of August 31, 2015.
SooToday Staff

NEWS RELEASE

PUC SERVICES

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PUC wishes to advise the public of the following activities for the week of August 31, 2015.

This notice is organized into four sections; Electrical Line Clearing (Tree Trimming), Water Infrastructure Renewal, Water Operations Activities and Unidirectional Flushing Program.

Electrical line clearing program (tree trimming)

Each year, PUC Forestry Technicians inspect Sault Ste. Marie’s electrical distribution system.

During this process, trees near power lines are trimmed and/or removed as needed by our line-clearing contractor Wilderness Environmental Services to reduce the risk of contact with high voltage electrical wires.

The purpose of this work is to ensure public safety while at the same time improving the reliability of our city’s electrical system by reducing the number of unplanned power interruptions.

Completing this inspection and trimming program for the entire city takes approximately three years.

Due to the number of dead and dangerous trees near high voltage electrical lines, crews will be working in various locations across the city to remove these trees.

As a result, the Street and Backyard Tree Trimming Programs have been suspended, the programs are scheduled to resume by mid-September.

Customers are reminded that if they have a dead tree or notice one near overhead electrical lines to please contact PUC Customer Care at 705-759-6522.

Water infrastructure renewal

This year’s Water Infrastructure Renewal Projects (Street Reconstruction) are now underway.

The PUC will be working with city staff to keep affected customers informed on the following renewal projects:

  • Upton Road (from Queen St E to Wellington St) 
  • Kensington Street
  • McMeeken Street (from Churchill Blvd to Elizabeth St)
  • John Street (from Queen St W to Albert St)
  • Huron Street (from Albert St to Cathcart St)

Water operations activities

Operational activities for the week are: 

  • Annual Hydrant Testing
    • Testing has commenced for the city’s approximately 2500 fire hydrants. This work is necessary to ensure all hydrants are functioning properly. Testing will occur across the city throughout the summer. There will be no hydrant testing on weekends and holidays.
  • 125 Huron - Bridge Plaza
    • Commissioning work for the bridge plaza’s new watermain is commencing 
  • 699 Trunk Road – New Tim Hortons
    • Commissioning activity is beginning for this water service.
  • Hydrant Flow Test – Cambrian Mall
    • Private fire hydrant testing is scheduled for next week.
  • Hydrant Flow Test – Churchill Plaza
    • Private fire hydrant testing is scheduled for next week.
  • John Street
    • The construction work for the decommissioning of the watermain on John Street between Queen Street West and Albert Street West is ongoing.
  • Huron Street
    • Installation of a new main is progressing north on Huron Street starting from Albert Street West to Cathcart Street.
    • Commissioning activity is beginning for this watermain.
  •  Upton Road/Kensington Terrace
    • Installation of a new main is progressing north on Upton Road to Wellington Street East.
    • Commissioning activity is underway for this watermain.
  • McMeeken Street
    • Installation of a new watermain on McMeeken Street is progressing east from Elizabeth Street to Churchill Boulevard.

There is a chance customers in the areas impacted by Infrastructure Renewal or Operational Activities may experience a change in water quality.

This is because any time there is a major change in the rate or direction of flow of water in the distribution system, sediment in the watermains can be disturbed and carried along with the water.

Customers are asked to contact PUC Customer Care should they experience discoloured water or any unusual change in water quality. 

Unidirectional flushing program

PUC water customers are reminded that the Unidirectional Flushing (UDF) Program for 2015 is ongoing in the east end of the city.

Customers are encouraged to visit the PUC website at www.ssmpuc.com for regular updates and to see a map(s) of the flushing area.

The UDF Program is performed in order to remove sediment from within the city’s watermains and is a recognized industry best practice for improving water quality.

  • East End

UDF flushing for the week of August 31 – September 4 will commence in the area generally bounded by Kohler Street to Pine Street and Queen Street East to Wellington Street East.

The PUC would like to remind all customers that work scheduled for next week is tentative and subject to change due to weather or resource constraints.

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