Utilities

Natural gas is a source of energy found below the earth’s surface. Once extracted, the gas is processed and refined, then sent through a pipeline to a distribution facility.  From the distribution facility, the gas is ready for your home, and flows through a number of different pipelines.

Here’s what’s most important for you to know: once the gas has reached your neighbourhood, it will flow through a smaller pipeline to get to your home. This is called a service line. At the end of the service line is a meter, which measures how much natural gas your home is using. The meter also reduces the pressure of the gas, so it enters your home safely. Beyond the meter, the gas flows through the pipes inside your home, to your gas appliances. Depending on your home and where you live, these appliances often include gas furnaces and hot water tanks, but may also include air conditioners, stoves and ovens, indoor fireplaces, and dryers. When the gas is extracted, it is odorless. However, to help identify leaks, an additive with an unpleasant smell is added to the gas. If you notice a smell of rotting eggs coming from a gas appliance inside your home, it is important to contact your utility.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Canada is investing in “clean fuels,” which include renewable natural gas.

The majority of water consumed by Canadians comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Municipal water treatment plants withdraw and treat this water through processes of clarification, filtration, and disinfection. Once the water is clean, it is pumped from the plant through large underground pipes called water mains until it reaches your home. Then, it enters smaller pipes called water lines that run throughout your house.

The water you use at home flows down a drain into other pipes which flow into a wastewater collection system, or sewer. From there, it arrives at a wastewater treatment facility where it undergoes numerous treatments that remove contaminants so the water can be safely discharged back into the environment.

Here’s what’s most important for you to know: in Canada, your water line usually enters through the floor of the foundation, in the basement of your house. By finding and following this water line from where it enters your home, you'll get to the water meter, and then the main water shut-off valve. This valve controls how much water can enter your house. If you ever have a leak or burst water pipe in your house, it is important to know where your main water shut off valve is so that you can turn the water off. You can do this by twisting the valve to the right. This is important because the pipes outside of your property line are taken care of by your municipality, but you are responsible for the maintenance of water lines on your property.