Safe Digging for Homeowners

Why take the risk? Know what’s below before you dig.

Whether you’re building a fence or planting a vegetable garden, find out where underground utility lines are located before you start digging. Hitting a buried natural gas line can cause serious injury and expensive repairs for you and/or your contractor. It can even be fatal.

Call 811 or visit call811.com to request the location of underground facilities near your proposed digging site.

Request a locate

Dig safely around natural gas lines to avoid:

Seriously hurting yourself, your family or neighbours.

Damaging property from a leak, fire or explosion.

Interrupting natural gas service to your community.

Incurring expensive repairs, charges or legal action.

Causing harm to the environment.

Won’t my contractor take care of this?

Never assume your contractor has taken care of it. Work in collaboration with them, and ask for verification that they’ve requested a locate before they start digging.

Are you a contractor?

Hitting an underground utility can delay your project and put your crew, company and community at serious risk. Learn how to excavate safely to prevent injury, fines and penalties.

Learn what services are available for you

Get a locate for projects of all sizes

Landscaping

Building a fence

Digging a garden

Installing a driveway

Planting a tree

Building a deck

Installing a pool

Waterproofing a basement

What to do before you dig

Request a locate

Call 811 or visit call811.com and request the location of underground facilities near your proposed digging site.

You’ll be asked to provide:

Your name and address.
When work is expected to begin.
The type of project (fence, pool, etc.).
How you plan to dig (by hand or machine).
How deep you’re planning to dig.

Wait for buried lines to be marked

Locators from natural gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunications companies will visit your home and paint or put flags to mark underground lines.

Private lines installed by you or a contractor, such as a gas line from your house to a pool heater or barbecue, are not included as part of this work and will require a separate locate. You’ll need to hire a private locate company to mark these lines and there is a charge for this service.

Respect the marks and dig safely

Once locates have been completed, follow the instructions and proper excavation practices to ensure a safe and smooth project.

What to do if you damage a natural gas line or smell gas

Stop work immediately.

Clear everyone from the area.

Call 911 if you smell or hear gas escaping.

Call the Enbridge Gas emergency line at 1-800-767-1689.

Frequently asked questions

What is a locate?

Locates are colour-coded ground markings identifying the approximate position of underground lines and cables on a proposed job site. They’re made using temporary paint or flags and are always accompanied by a locate sheet that maps out where lines are buried in relation to fixed objects such as poles, buildings or sidewalks.

When do I need to call for a locate?

Any time you are digging on your property, a locate is required. Even small projects such as adding a garden or planting a tree require a locate. It’s free and it’s the law.

Which utilities need to be marked?

Call811 will notify all owners of buried infrastructure in your area on your behalf. These include but are not limited to: electric, water, sewage and Enbridge Gas, as well as telecommunication companies.

Choose Your Province/State of Service

Choose Your Province/State of Service

Choose Your Province/State of Service

Choose Your Province/State of Service

Why take the risk? Know what’s below before you dig.

Dig safely around natural gas lines to avoid:

Won’t my contractor take care of this?

Are you a contractor?

Get a locate for projects of all sizes