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What the PUC is up to next week

Activities in electrical line clearing (tree trimming), water infrastructure renewal, water operations activities, unidirectional flushing program, and the LED streetlight conversion project are all covered
PUC Building summer
Donna Hopper/SooToday

WEEKLY ACTIVITY NOTICE

PUC

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SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (23 September 2016) – PUC wishes to advise the public of the following activities for the week of September 26th, 2016. This notice is organized into five sections; electrical line clearing (tree trimming), water infrastructure renewal, water operations activities, unidirectional flushing program, and the LED streetlight conversion project.

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 or removed as needed by our line-clearing contractor Asplundh Canada 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.

For the period of September 26 – September 30 tree trimming will occur in the area of Grand Boulevard. 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 underway. The PUC will be working with city staff to keep affected customers informed on the following renewal projects:

  • Gore Street (Queen St W to Wellington St)
  • Coulson Ave
  • Manor Road
  • Second Ave (Wallace Terr. to Connaught Ave)
  • John Street (City Aqueduct Project)

Water operations activities

Operational activities for the week are: 

100 Block - Elmwood Avenue

A developer is installing a fire hydrant for a townhouse development on Elmwood Avenue. During this process, PUC will oversee the connection to the water system.

Queensgate Subdivision

A developer is installing new residential water services for the Queensgate subdivision. During this process, PUC will oversee the connection to the water system.

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.

Coulson Avenue

Installation of a new main is progressing north on Coulson Avenue starting from Queen Street East.

Second Avenue

Installation of a new main is progressing north on Second Avenue starting from Wallace Terrace.

Gore Street

Installation of a new main is progressing north on Gore Street starting from Queen Street East.

John Street

Construction work for the new watermain is underway.

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 anytime there is a significant shift 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 advises water customers that the Unidirectional Flushing (UDF) Program for 2016 is complete.

LED streetlight conversion project

The conversion of Sault Ste. Marie’s 9,050 High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights to the more efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures is nearing completion. As a result, PUC is beginning the field verification process for the new LED streetlights, ensuring the light levels comply with industry standards. This verification process involves crews working on roadways overnight, PUC is reminding drivers to exercise caution while travelling through any marked worksites. Customers looking for more information on the project, or for project status updates, are encouraged to visit the PUC’s website.

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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