2016 Achievements
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What's the context?
We've provided data on our achievements in 2016. If you're looking for additional context on how much overall infrastructure we maintain, check out our overview infographics.
Five Thousand Gas Meters Replaced
In 2016, Utilities Kingston replaced nearly 5,000 of the 15,000 gas meters in the municipal gas distribution system, to verify accuracy and that the meters conform to legal requirements.
It's important for our customers to receive accurate bills for the amount of gas, water and electricity consumed by their household or business. Reliable metering equipment is an important part of ensuring our customers continue to receive accurate bills.
As determined by Measurement Canada, and in accordance with the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, every year we send a sample number of gas meters to verify accuracy and that the meters conform to legal requirements. Gas meters must be verified and reverified within appropriate periods, established on the basis of their stability of performance, application and usage. Measurement Canada determines how meters are selected for verification. This is based on criteria that include age, size and manufacturer. Meters are typically verified and reverified every 7 to 10 years.
Recently, Utilities Kingston switched from a manual, paper-based process to a mobile solution for gas meter inspections and replacements. Using Workforce for ArcGIS® , a location-based app designed to improve coordination and teamwork, helped us complete hundreds of meter inspections and replacements within four months. Additionally, the teams collected key data not previously available.
Gas Valve Maintenance
To ensure the integrity of our system, we developed and implemented a new gas valve maintenance program with a focus on high pressure and steel gas mains. New equipment enables more thorough valve inspection and cleaning.
Training
Staff training and competency continued to be a key focus to mitigate attrition. We identified training and assessment requirements under the Competency Assessment Program. All new employees involved in gas operations took part in the Technical Standards & Safety Authority Gas Pipeline Inspectors Certification.
Ensuring Gas Safety
As part of maintaining the integrity of the natural gas system, on an annual basis we inspect over 20 per cent of the infrastructure for leaks. Overall, we maintain 256 kilometres of gas main and the other assets described in our natural gas overview infographic. Here's what we inspected in 2016:
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Regulation and Legislation
Reporting System Damage
Ontario Regulation 210/01, Oil And Gas Pipeline Systems, requires that Utilities Kingston reports when there has been damage to the system that results in a gas leak. In 2016, there were a total of 22 occurrences, compared to 24 in 2015. An increased public awareness of gas hits helped encourage a downward trend.
Gas Distribution Safety Management System
We revised our Gas Distribution Safety Management System to meet the new requirements of CSA Z662- 15 Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems. Changes included updated or clarified requirements for safety and loss management systems, mitigation programs for internal corrosion, training and certification of field applied coating, and other key changes.