With the arrival of spring temperatures and many residents at home due to COVID-19, homeowners are looking forward to getting outside to undertake backyard projects.
Enbridge Gas reminds customers that to protect the safety of their families and the public, it is imperative to call Ontario One Call to obtain the location of all underground utilities like gas pipelines before starting any backyard projects that include digging like tree planting or fence and deck installations.
Enbridge officials say this year, there is an additional health risk that frontline emergency responders will face in responding to emergency situations during a Pandemic.
“Under the ground there is a network of natural gas pipelines, water and sewer lines and electricity, telephone, internet and cable wires serving your home,” stated Ben Townsend, Windsor Operations Supervisor, Enbridge Gas.
“By accidentally hitting one with a shovel, serious consequences could occur such as personal injury and loss of essential services creating a risk for you and others. Once the underground facilities have been properly marked, you can dig with care.”
This year, 23 per cent of incidents in Southwestern Ontario involving damage to Enbridge Gas pipelines were related to homeowners not calling before digging to obtain markers, Enbridge officials say.
This is 50 percent higher than previous years.
In addition to the risk of a public emergency and the inconvenience of utility outages, damages caused by excavators who don’t call before they dig, cost utility customers, municipalities and, ultimately, taxpayers’ tens of millions of dollars a year across Ontario.
To request a locate, call 1-800-400-2255 or go to Ontario One Call at least five business days before you plan to dig.
Ontario One Call will relay your locate request and information to Enbridge Gas or their designated locate service provider, as well as other participating member utilities.
You will be provided with a timely, FREE locate of the underground facilities so you can complete your project safely.
To move natural gas pipes inside your home, be sure to hire a registered heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor who is certified to work with natural gas.
If you suspect a natural gas leak:
– Act quickly and remain calm.
– Go outside or leave the area immediately.
– Call our 24-hour Emergency Number: 1-877-969-0999.
– Never assume someone has already called.
For your safety, and the safety of others, you must determine where the underground facilities are located BEFORE starting construction, landscaping or any other project, Enbridge officials say.
For more information visit enbridgegas.com/Safety/Before-You-Dig.
If you suspect a natural gas leak, or for any other natural gas emergency, call 1-877-969-0999.
