Planning to dig this spring? Start with a locate
With spring project season approaching, homeowners and contractors are urged to put safety first by requesting free utility locates before digging. Contact Ontario One Call to “click before you dig.” It’s the law and helps prevent injuries, costly repairs and service disruptions.
“There are numerous underground hazards that could cause serious injuries. Some cables and lines lie just below the surface,” says Robert Bowen, Supervisor, Inspection & Support Engineering at Utilities Kingston. “Striking a gas line, electric cable or high-pressure pipe could result in property damage, or worse, serious or fatal injuries.”
Despite the risks, underground infrastructure is damaged every day across Ontario due to unsafe digging. These incidents often lead to gas leaks, power outages and water main breaks.
Ontario One Call’s 2024 Awareness Study points to a concerning lack of awareness behind these incidents:
- 57 per cent of homeowners are unaware that a utility locate is legally required before digging.
- One in four residential digging projects results in accidental damage to underground infrastructure.
Prevent unnecessary damage and avoid safety risks by contacting Ontario One Call at least five business days before starting any project that involves digging. Whether you’re planting a tree, installing a fence, building a deck or digging a garden, a public utility locate is required. The service is free, easy to request and helps keep everyone safe.
To request a free locate or to learn more, visit www.OntarioOneCall.ca.
Contact Us
City of Kingston
City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Canada
contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
