(supplied)

PUC wishes to advise the public of the following activities for the week of June 15th, 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.

For the period of June 15th – 19th 2015, Backyard tree trimming will continue along the following roadways; Gravelle Street, Madeline Street, Atlas Street, Welcome Avenue and the Huntington Park area. Backyard trimming will only occur in yards where homeowners have received a “Line Clearing Notice” on their door, or in the mail.

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)
  • Elizabeth Street (from Queen St E to McMeeken St)
  • John Street (from Queen St W to Albert St)
  • Huron Street (from Queen St. W 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.
  • Bridge Plaza
    • Customers on Albert Street West between Hudson Street and Huron Street are advised of a potential water service interruption next week. This interruption would be to allow for the installation of a new watermain for the bridge plaza. More detailed information will be provided to customers directly affected should the interruption go ahead.
  • Metig Street
    • A developer is installing a commercial water services on Metig Street. During this process, PUC will oversee the connection to the water system.
  • John Street
    • The construction work for the decommissioning of the watermain on John Street between Queen and Albert has commenced. New services are being installed for affected customers.
  • Huron Street
    • Installation of a temporary water supply for the Huron Street reconstruction project (Cathcart Street to Albert Street West) will be beginning this week. Customers who will be supplied from the temporary system will be notified directly.
  •  Upton Road/Kensington Terrace – Temporary Water Supply
    • Installation of new main has commenced and is progressing north on Upton Road starting from Queen Street East. A temporary water supply for the Kensington Terrace reconstruction project will be connected to the existing main. This connection is dependent on satisfactory temporary water supply system test results.
  • McMeeken Street/Elizabeth Street
  • The connection of the temporary water supply has been completed and installation of the new watermain is progressing north from Queen Street East to McMeeken Street and then east to Churchill Boulevard.

There is a chance customers in the areas impacted by Infrastructure Renewal or Operational Activities could experience discoloured water. 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 Service should they experience discoloured water or any unusual change in water quality.

UNIDIRECTIONAL FLUSHING PROGRAM

PUC water customers are advised that the Unidirectional Flushing (UDF) Program for 2015 is commencing 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 area for the week of June 15th – 19th will occur in the area generally bounded by Parkshore Drive to Dacey Road and Queen Street East to River Road.

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.

—