Spring digging ahead? Click before you dig!
With spring project season approaching, many homeowners and contractors are getting ready to dig into outdoor projects. Whether you’re planting shrubs, digging a garden, installing a fence, or building a deck, if your project involves any digging whatsoever, there’s an important first step: requesting a public utility locate.
Contact Ontario One Call before breaking ground. By “clicking before you dig,” you’re helping protect yourself, your property, your neighbours, and your essential services. It’s free and required by law.
Why does this matter? It’s simple. Buried below the surface are gas lines, electrical cables, water pipes, and other safety hazards. Striking underground infrastructure can lead to costly repairs, service disruptions, or even serious injuries.
A quick locate can save you big time
A recent awareness study from Ontario One Call revealed some eye-opening trends:
- 57% of homeowners did not request a utility locate before their most recent digging project, despite it being legally required.
- 80% either don’t realize or mistakenly believe that small projects, like planting shrubs, don’t require a locate.
- 66% of homeowners are planning to dig this year, making the risk of damage to underground infrastructure significantly higher.
Here’s what to do:
Go to OntarioOneCall.ca and request a free locate at least five business days before you plan to start digging. Ontario One Call will contact each utility company, and locators will come out to mark the buried lines so you’ll know where it’s safe to work.
Remember: click before you dig, for any size project. It’s the law.
Want to know more about locates? Visit Utilitieskingston.com/MultiUtility/Locates.