Integrated RTK and GIS technology is modernizing PUC’s field operations
PUC Recognized by Ontario Dig Authority for Excellence in Infrastructure Management
Sault Ste. Marie, ON (October 2, 2026) — PUC Services Inc. has been recognized by Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call) with the 2026 Innovation in Dig Safety Award for its integration of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) satellite positioning technology with its Geographic Information System (GIS), transforming how the utility’s underground infrastructure is mapped, managed, and protected.
By upgrading to RTK- and Bluetooth-enabled locate devices, PUC improved underground asset location accuracy by more than 99%, reducing variances from several metres to just 2.5 centimetres. Integrated directly with GIS, the technology enables field crews to capture and map infrastructure in real time.
“This technology is a game changer for the way we manage our infrastructure,” said Robert Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer, PUC Services Inc. “Each locate now becomes a highly accurate, permanent data point that can be accessed instantly across the organization, improving decision-making and asset management. The result is safer operations, fewer disruptions, and more reliable service for our customers and community.”
How the technology is transforming PUC’s infrastructure management:
- Creating permanent digital records that are captured once and shared instantly across teams.
- Supporting better project planning and decision-making through more accurate asset data.
- Reducing excavation-related risks for workers and contractors.
- Protecting critical underground infrastructure from accidental damage.
- Minimizing customer disruptions by reducing unnecessary excavation and rework.
The 2026 Innovation in Dig Safety Award, part of the Ontario Dig Authority’s annual Industry Safety Awards, reflects a collaborative effort across PUC’s operations, engineering, GIS and information technology teams.
“PUC’s initiative stood out for its forward-thinking approach to excavation safety and underground infrastructure protection,” said Ontario Dig Authority President and CEO, Mitch Panciuk. “The judges were particularly impressed by PUC’s impactful results and innovative approaches developed to address complex challenges in damage prevention.”
About PUC Services Inc.
PUC Services Inc. is a utility services company wholly owned by the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. It is part of the PUC Group of Companies, which delivers safe, reliable electricity, drinking water, and wastewater services locally, while providing utility and infrastructure solutions across Ontario. Through its affiliates, PUC supports municipal, Indigenous, and industrial clients with expertise in water and wastewater operations, emergency response and inspection programs, watermain rehabilitation, and electricity transmission services. Guided by its vision to be Ontario’s most successful integrated utility, PUC continues to invest in infrastructure, pursue strategic growth, and create long-term value for the communities it serves.
About Ontario Dig
Authority Ontario Dig Authority is a public safety administrative authority that acts as a communications link between buried infrastructure owners and individuals who are planning to dig in the province of Ontario. Ontario Dig Authority’s annual Industry Safety Awards celebrate the people and organizations that are advancing excavation safety, damage prevention, and public awareness. The awards highlight meaningful progress, inspire industry-wide improvement, and honour the leaders who are helping create a safer and more resilient Ontario.
Additional Resources
Contact Us
PUC Services Inc.
500 Second Line East
PO Box 9000
Sault Ste. Marie, P6A 6P2
Office Hours By Phone
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Customer Experience: 705-759-6500
Emergencies: 705-759-6555