UniSource gas customers did not experience any service outages last year, despite extreme winter weather and other challenges. This achievement was no accident. It’s the product of a culture of safety, forward thinking, and a commitment to our communities.

With more than 4,400 miles of pipeline serving 170,000 people, our team works proactively to keep the system running smoothly, including annual pre- and post-season assessments, along with extensive hands-on training.

“Our success comes from staying ahead of potential challenges,” said Duncan Jakes, Manager of Gas Operations. “We’re constantly evaluating our system, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and making improvements before they’re needed.”

Here are the four bedrock elements of our reliability strategy:

Preparation: Each year, we conduct comprehensive winter preparations that include equipment inspections, system upgrades, and detailed performance assessments. All aspects of the pipeline system are addressed, including hydraulic system analysis, geographic information system (GIS) maintenance, and electronic pressure monitoring. In addition, annual procedures are reviewed and an outage analysis is conducted.

Training: All field employees receive specialized training in emergency response, leak investigation, and mitigation techniques. This training takes place at our Operations and Emergency Response Training Facility in Prescott, where employees train under real-world conditions, sometimes alongside first responders.

Technology: System performance is monitored via remote pressure recorders installed at key locations throughout our region. This enables a quick response to potential threats or issues. This monitoring capability, combined with regular maintenance and thorough system analysis, also helps ensure consistent service, even during periods of peak demand.

Community partnerships: By maintaining strong relationships with first responders and conducting regular emergency response drills, a fast and coordinated response to potential emergencies is possible.

“We understand that our customers depend on us for their comfort and safety,” Jakes added. “That’s why we’re constantly working to strengthen our infrastructure, train our teams, and improve our emergency response capabilities. When weather events hit our system, our customers can be sure that we’re doing everything we can to avoid system outages.”