
Manitobans have embraced the online underground natural gas and electrical line-locate system recently introduced by Manitoba Hydro. Since April, more than 31,000 line-locate requests have been completed, an increase of 12 per cent compared to last year.
Manitoba Hydro joined Click Before You Dig earlier this year. Previously known as Call Before You Dig, the free online system allows homeowners and contractors to know where underground natural gas and electrical lines are located prior to any excavation.
Another notable change is Manitoba Hydro customers no longer have to be on-site to sign the required line locate clearance form. The new system features a shorter processing time to allow for a quicker start on projects where underground natural gas and electricity lines are present. Once a request is received from the electronic service, it schedules the line locate for the next available opportunity. The customer receives an e-mail by the end of the same day the locate was completed. The e-mail provides the clearance form, an electronic map of the area with the hazards and dig area identified and links to safe excavation practices they need to follow.
In Manitoba, The Gas Pipe Line Act requires all lines to be marked and located prior to excavating beyond 15 cm. in depth.