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Annual fire hydrant inspections start in May Our municipal water system supplies safe drinking water to your tap, but it also needs to provide large quantities of water at a moment’s notice in order to fight fires. Starting mid-May, Utilities Kingston will begin its annual fire hydrant inspection and flow rating program to help support fire protection. Residents and business owners may notice discoloured tap water or reduced water pressure. “Flow rating requires that we open the hydrant to maximum flow. This can reduce water pressure and disturb deposits that normally occur in water mains, possibly discolouring the water that services neighbouring homes and businesses. We want residents to know that the water is still safe and they are encouraged to flush their pipes until the water is clear, “explains Kevin Riley, Director of Water and Wastewater Operations for Utilities Kingston. As part of this program, licensed water distribution operators from Utilities Kingston will inspect mechanical parts for proper operation, assess the overall condition of fire hydrants, and flush and flow rate hydrants. Once the hydrants are rated, the port caps and hydrant tops are painted blue, green, orange or red to alert firefighters about how much water flow is available from each hydrant. “It’s important for firefighters to be able to anticipate the water supply available through a hydrant when we arrive at the scene of a fire,” says Acting Assistant Chief and Director of Fire Prevention, Paul Patry. “Ensuring that our water supply is trustworthy will help us save
lives and protect homes and businesses from fire damage.” Fire hydrant inspection and flow rating will take place Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from mind-May until November. Utilities Kingston customers can get more information about the program, including regular updates on progress, by visiting www.utilitieskingston.com/water/HydrantRating As temperatures rise, our consumption of water also rises. This can place stress on the water system, reducing pressure and water available to firefighters. This summer your business can save money while helping Utilities Kingston maintain affordable municipal water service and fire protection by investing in water conservation. For tips on water smart gardening and landscaping, visit Utilities Kingston’s Water Conservation Demonstration Garden at 1211 John Counter Boulevard, or visit our website to learn how to create a beautiful, low maintenance environment your customers and staff will love. If you are the owner of a multi-residential property, replace old, inefficient toilets with new ultra-low flow models. Utilities Kingston offers a rebate of $60 per toilet for such investments. Utilities Kingston can help fund other investments in water conservation made by our commercial customers. Just call (613)5461181 x2477 to book a free energy and water efficiency consultation or visit http://www. utilitieskingston.com for more information.
Secondary school students win the Restaurant Service contest. From left to right: Kevin Myrie of Brampton wins silver, Holly Francoeur of Kingston wins gold.
Ontario Technological Skills Competition By: Katherine Kipper Director of Operations, Skills Canada – Ontario
At the closing ceremonies of the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, students from all over Ontario were glued to their seats as Premier Kathleen Wynne spoke about how Ontario’s youth will shape the future of our economy. “You’re showing us what you can do with robotics, with carpentry and auto body work and team building. And no matter what specific skills you’re demonstrating, or where you place in the competition, I want you to know one thing: you can already do things that most people my age cannot have a hope of doing,” she said at the event, which took place on Wednesday May 8 in Waterloo, Ont. She was joined by John Milloy, Minister of Govern-
ment Services Commissioner, Board of Internal Economy and Government House Leader. The two-day competition just completed its 24th year. Run by Skills Canada – Ontario, it encourages secondary and post-secondary students to enter into the skilled trades; a job market that is expected to face dire shortages within the next 10 years. With students diagnosing and repairing vehicles in the Auto Service Technology competition, nestling bricks into their cement beds in the Brick Masonry competition, and showing their white balance, framing and editing skills in TV and Video Production competition, the event featured 63 contest areas and approximately 1,900 competitors from secondary schools and post-secondary schools across
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