Find the "You can count on us " reports and a brief video overview at www.UtilitiesKingston.com/2020 and www.KingstonHydro.com/2020.

In just a few months’ time, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated tremendous change in the way companies in all sectors and regions do business, and Utilities Kingston was no exception.

“I am extremely proud of the way our employees adapted through various challenges throughout the year, to ensure our community can continue to rely on the multiple core utility services we provide,” says Jim Keech, president and CEO of Utilities Kingston.

In 2020, Utilities Kingston proudly celebrated 20 years since its incorporation. The utility company has been serving Kingston, in one form or another, since 1847, when it was known as the Kingston Gas Light Company.

Whether it’s to restore wind and flood damage, ensure public safety, support the community, improve operating efficiency, or take climate action, the community counts on the employees at Utilities Kingston to deliver safely and reliably, every day, and come what may.

2020 Highlights

Community  

• Employees raised $25,564.16 for United Way KFL&A, achieving the Cornerstone Achievement Award and Sapphire Britton Smith Foundation Leadership Award.
• Electricity crews built and installed an osprey nesting platform in the heart of the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre.
• Partnered with KFL&A Public Health and Queen's University to help make Kingston's sewer surveillance dashboard available online in 2021. This partnership provides for trends of infection and early detection of COVID-19, giving even earlier warnings of increased virus risk in Kingston.

Health and safety

• Implemented 18 risk assessments, policies and procedures related to COVID-19. As always, Utilities Kingston prioritized the safety of its employees throughout the pandemic, and is proud to relay there were zero cases of COVID-19 reported in the workplace during 2020.
• Mental wellness is important to the health and safety of the workplace. The Guarding Minds @ Work committee promoted and supported mental health resources and e-Learning for employees.
• To ensure the safety of underground infrastructure, the public and workers, Utilities Kingston quickly and reliably responded to 7,202 locate requests.

Water achievements

• Replaced 900 metres and relined 2,750 metres of water main.
• Continued to improve asset management of water meters, replacing or installing 906 out of approximately 39,000.
• Inspected 3,485 out of 3,569 fire hydrants, to ensure reliable water distribution and fire protection.
• Ensured water quality by taking 4,000 microbiological and 10,000 chemical samples.
• Treated and pumped 21.6 billion litres of water.

Wastewater achievements

• Adopted the role of General Contractor for the project to expand and upgrade the Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. The employees of Utilities Kingston are committed to the successful and safe completion of these upgrades, while reducing disruption to customers and nearby residents. By the end of 2020, over 85 per cent of the civil construction was undertaken.
• Lined three kilometres, and cleaned and inspected 32 kilometres of sewer mains to ensure the integrity of the sanitary sewer.
• Embarked on a joint reconstruction project with the City of Kingston to address several challenges: sewer capacity on Glengarry Road, aging infrastructure along Portsmouth Avenue and the need for increased capacity to support new development.
• Continued the work to reduce sewer overflows, for environmental protection. Work included separating combined sewers in the University District and upsizing a sewer pipe leading from the combined sewer overflow tank on Earl Street to the Harbourfront Trunk Sewer.

Gas achievements

• Inspected or maintained 429 out of 1,438 mainline gas valves.
• Inspected over 20 per cent of the infrastructure for leaks.
• For the third year, continued efforts to install new gas services using in-house resources, replacing or installing 94 gas services.  
• Delivered a smart thermostat program for natural gas and electricity customers. A total of 67 customers participated, saving 56,213 kWh electricity and 1,005 cubic metres of natural gas. (This Save on Energy program was offered by Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro in collaboration with the Independent Electricity System Operator.)

Electricity achievements

• Continued to upgrade Substation No. 1, Kingston’s oldest substation housed in a heritage building at Queen and King streets.
• Visually inspected 1,788 of 5,206 electricity poles and related equipment to help prioritize capital works.
• Through the infrared scanning preventative maintenance program, identified 82 defects that are prioritized for operation and maintenance works.
• Throughout the year, took steps to support customers who were experiencing hardships due to the pandemic, including through delivering the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program and COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business.

Streetlight and traffic signals achievements

•          To ensure safe and reliable streetlighting and signalized intersections, repaired 628 streetlight and traffic signal issues.
•          Supported the City of Kingston in its first all ages & abilities (AAA) intersection, at John Counter Boulevard and Leroy Grant Drive.

See and share the full reports at www.UtilitiesKingston.com/2020 and www.KingstonHydro.com/2020.  Watch our three-minute video overview