This article was published in May 2021 and may be outdated.
Every year, homeowners and contractors damage buried utility lines on their property or job sites, resulting in widespread outages, costly repairs, injuries, lawsuits, and tragically, even fatalities. These accidents can be easily prevented with a free and simple locate service.
If you’re planning a project that involves disturbing the ground deeper than 15 centimetres – like digging postholes for a fence, planting a shrub, garden or flower bed, installing a sprinkler system, or a larger excavation project — you must submit a locate request to Click Before You Dig MB at least three full working days before you begin your project. You can also call Click Before You Dig MB at 1-800-940-3447.
Once the request is submitted and the locate is scheduled, Manitoba Hydro will mark underground natural gas and electrical lines, free of charge, so work can proceed safely.
Dangers of hitting underground lines
If you dig and hit an electrical line, you may:
- suffer a serious injury from a shock or be electrocuted;
- cause a power outage;
- be liable for the cost of repairs.
If you hit a natural gas line, you may:
- release natural gas, which, if ignited, can cause injury or even death;
- damage or destroy your excavation equipment;
- cause a local or widespread natural gas disruption, including evacuation;
- be liable for the cost of repairs.
Dig safe! Contact Click Before You Dig MB to know what’s below.