TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 10, 2013) - With the May long weekend just over a week away and many residents turning their thoughts to landscaping and other outdoor work, Enbridge Gas Distribution reminds Ontarians to build 'Call Before You Dig' into their plans at least one week in advance.
'Call Before You Dig' is mandatory in Ontario. It is a crucial step in outdoor home improvement plans because gas lines can be damaged during activities such as fence or deck building if people do not call before they dig. In addition to unnecessary loss of gas, damage can create a potentially dangerous situation for the general public.
Before digging in your yard, make one phone call first. This is a duty shared by both the property owner and contracted workers.
"It's free for you or your contractor to call for the location of Enbridge's pipes so that you can avoid damaging them and prevent a potentially dangerous situation," said Jamie Milner, Vice President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "This Spring, make plans to protect yourself, your family, your neighbours and your property by calling before you dig."
Safety is Enbridge Gas Distribution's priority and the natural gas utility offers a free pipeline location service to anyone who may be digging near a gas pipeline.
Enbridge Gas Distribution is a member of "Ontario One Call," an organization that co-ordinates locate requests for many utilities and services. To request the location of Enbridge Gas Distribution's natural gas lines, call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or submit your request online at www.ON1CALL.com at least five business days before disturbing the ground.
When you call Ontario One Call you will be connected to an operator who will contact member utilities, including Enbridge Gas Distribution, on your behalf. Professional locators will then be sent to mark the locations of underground infrastructure, so you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.
As of June 19, 2013, all owners of underground infrastructure, other than municipalities must be members of Ontario One Call. Municipalities are required to join Ontario One Call by June 19, 2014.
For information about safe digging practices to follow after underground utilities are marked, visit www.enbridgegas.com/callbeforeyoudig or www.digsafe.ca .
About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution is a founding member of Ontario One Call, a voluntary not-for-profit call centre designed to make it easy for people in the province to call for the location of underground utilities free of charge. It is also a founding member of the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance, a non-profit organization which promotes safe digging practices.
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company with two million customers. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to more than two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com .
