NEWS RELEASE

PUC

*************************

PUC wishes to advise the public of the following activities for the week of Oct. 2, 2017. This notice is organised into four sections; Electrical Line Clearing (Tree Trimming), Wooden Pole Testing and Treatment, Water Infrastructure Renewal, and Water Operations Activities.

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 four years.

For the week of Oct. 2 – Oct. 6 street tree trimming will continue in the area of Second Line West and Airport Road. Customers are reminded that if they have a dead tree or notice one near overhead electrical lines to contact PUC Customer Care at 705-759-6522.

WOODEN POLE TESTING AND TREATMENT PROGRAM

In an effort to ensure the overhead system remains safe and reliable, PUC has retained Pole Care International Inc. to perform a system wide test and treatment program on all of its older wooden hydro poles.

As an industry best practice, the regular testing and treatment of wooden poles maximizes their useful life, as well as identifying any that might require immediate attention.

For 2017, testing will primarily occur in the east end of the city (east of Lake Street and south of Trunk Road). Customers are advised that pole testing activities will primarily be conducted on City property, but at times it may be necessary for crews to access private property (depending on pole locations). Completing this year’s testing and treatment program will take approximately five weeks.

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: