Coloured areas will have an annual leak survey and infrastructure assessment of the City of Medicine Hat's gas distribution network competed.  Courtesy/City of Medicine Hat

By Jesse Gill

CITY NOTICE

City of Medicine Hat’s annual gas infrastructure inspection starts Monday aided by tech

Aug 15, 2025 | 7:09 AM

The City of Medicine Hat will begin the annual leak survey and infrastructure assessment on its gas distribution network on Monday with some new technology to help.

Trained contractors will inspect critical infrastructure to evaluate and maintain the integrity of the natural gas delivery system in the city, with a mobile detection unit to supplement the usual in-person walking assessments this year.

There will be 7,264 residential and commercial service inspections with 151 km of gas main. A map of what is being inspected is accessible here.

The technology called Mobile Guard is a vehicle-mounted super sniffer manufactured by global technology leader ABB that uses an anemometer to identify wind direction and a pump that samples air quality as it drives.

The device measures the level of methane in the air sample and tracks the location and severity on a map.

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It can also detect and inform whether any recorded methane is likely to be naturally occurring, or if it is gas coming from a pipeline.

The contracted mobile vehicle will drive streets and alleys in the inspection boundaries each evening Monday through Sunday between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.

It will be easily identified by equipment mounted on the roof and a Hetek Solutions decal, a city release said.

Similar to previous years, trained contractors also conduct physical onsite inspections of individual gas services during daytime hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The city’s contractor will be in and around each yard in the inspection area surveying pipe, risers, regulators, meters or more.

Contractors will carry City of Medicine Hat photo identification at all times, which will be presented upon request.

Access to the exterior of each property is necessary.

If the contractor is unable to gain access, they will leave a notification slip with a phone number to call to arrange an inspection.

The city said due to the quantity of infrastructure being examined, it is not possible to seek permission from each property owner prior to entering their yards.

With the aid of the added technology, which is faster and more efficient to assess the main pipelines than walking, the inspection process should conclude within three weeks, added a city release.

The city said any inquiries may be directed to their gas distribution office at 403-529-8190.