Before you put a shovel in the ground, you ask for a locate. You contact Ontario One Call, which now operates as Ontario Dig Authority, and the companies that own the buried lines come and mark where those lines run. This post walks through the steps as the organization’s own pages give them, and it is written for a homeowner planning a deck, a fence, a patio or a garden.
What is Ontario One Call
Ontario Dig Authority, formerly known as Ontario One Call, is a public safety administrative authority and the communication link between those wanting to dig and buried infrastructure owners who are required to provide locates.
Its home page says Ontario One Call is now operating as Ontario Dig Authority.
It does not do the marking itself. The organization says it does not physically mark the lines, pipes or cables. It relays the dig information to the buried infrastructure owners so they can mark (locate) based on the request submitted.
Why does a locate matter
The home page puts the risk plainly. Damaging underground infrastructure is dangerous, and hitting wires, pipes or cables can cause serious injuries and carry hefty financial consequences.
It also says the service is free, required by law, and helps protect you, your project, your community and the underground infrastructure we all rely on.
Does a small project need one
Size is not the test. The home page says locates are required for any project that breaks ground, no matter the size or depth of the excavation.
The public utility locates page names the projects a homeowner is likely to have in mind. If you are planting a tree, building a fence or deck, landscaping your property or planning a larger excavation project, you must request a public utility locate before you dig.
How far ahead should you ask
The home page says to submit a locate request at least 5 business days before you dig. The locates page splits this by the size of the job.
Single address requests are completed within 5 business days. Advanced requests, which cover projects involving multiple addresses or larger work areas, are completed within 10 business days.
The locates page gives the same lead times in another place. It says to contact Ontario Dig Authority at least 5 business days before a single-address project or 10 business days before a multi-address or large project.
If your project has a start date, count back from it in business days.
What are the three steps
The home page lays out what to do before you dig in three steps.
Step 1 is to contact Ontario Dig Authority. At least 5 business days before you dig, you submit a locate request, and the organization notifies buried infrastructure owners that you plan to dig.
Step 2 is to get locates. Each utility company sends a utility locator to mark the location of buried lines and cables at your dig site for free.
Step 3 is to dig safely. You respect the marks and follow the instructions that the locator provides.
When can you start digging
Not when the first marker shows up. The locates page says you must wait until all notified infrastructure owners have responded before you begin digging.
It lists what to do before work starts. The person performing the excavation should submit the locate request. Wait until all locate responses have been received. Review your complete locate package. Keep utility markings visible. Request a new locate if your project changes.
What do the colours mean
Unless an infrastructure owner provides a clearance, locate responses may include field markings such as flags, paint or stakes. The home page says these markings use different colours to identify the type of buried infrastructure in the area.
- Red is electric.
- Orange is communication.
- Yellow is gas, oil or steam.
- Green is sewer or storm.
- Blue is water.
- Purple is irrigation or slurry.
- Pink is temporary survey markings.
- White is proposed excavation.
Most of those colours tell you about a line. White is the odd one out, because it marks the proposed excavation.
What if the plan changes
The home page asks the question and answers it in capitals. Has your project changed? You MUST request a new locate if your project changes.
The locates page repeats the advice in its list of steps before work starts. If you move a footing or add a section of fence, the locate you were given was for the plan you filed.
Who submits the request when you hire someone
The locates page has a section called Digging at Home. It says that whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring someone to complete an excavation project on your behalf, requesting utility locates is required before digging begins.
It says the person performing the excavation should submit the locate request. If you have hired a contractor, confirm they have submitted the locate request and received all required responses before excavation begins.
Ask during the quote who files the request, and ask to see the responses before anyone breaks ground.
What about lines the utilities do not mark
The public process does not cover everything on your property. The locates page says some underground infrastructure on private property is owned by the property owner and is not included in the public locate process. If private infrastructure may be present, you are responsible for arranging a private locate.
It gives examples:
- Gas lines to barbecues or pool heaters
- Electrical lines to sheds, detached garages, lights or signs
- Sewer and septic systems
- Telecom or electrical lines feeding security cameras
The page also says Ontario Dig Authority must always be contacted before digging. If you do not know what you have buried between the house and a shed, find out before any excavation starts.
Can a locate be shared
The locates page says sharing locates can be done by including another excavator’s contact information in the locate request. If that is not possible, you can share your locate requests with other contractors if their digging parameters are the same as the ones in the shared request.
The page says this has the potential to reduce the need for locate service providers to complete the same locates multiple times. If a neighbour is digging for a similar job, ask whether a shared request fits both of you.
What about a blocked sewer
The locates page has a warning for a different kind of digging. In rare cases, a natural gas line may have been installed through a sewer pipe. If the sewer becomes blocked, using mechanical equipment to clear it could damage the gas line and create a serious safety risk.
The page says to confirm that no natural gas lines pass through the sewer pipe before clearing a blocked sewer, and that the check is free. It points to its sewer safety inspections page for the details.
How does this fit with a permit
Locates and permits are separate. A locate request goes to Ontario Dig Authority. A building permit goes to the City of Ottawa.
For a deck, the City’s deck page gives an approximate first review timeline of 5 business days under its enhanced service level. That is a separate request to a separate body from the locate, so plan for both.
The City’s deck page also names a footing and foundation inspection for in-situ piers and pads prior to backfill. That inspection comes after the hole is dug, which is a second reason the locate comes first. It says to book inspections 48 hours in advance.
What should you settle before you dig
- The date you want to start, and the number of business days between now and then.
- Whether the project covers one address or more, since the lead time is 5 business days or 10.
- Who is performing the excavation, because that person submits the request.
- Anything you know or suspect is buried on your own side of the property line, such as a gas line to a barbecue.
- Whether the plan has changed since the request went in.
Henike Contracting builds floating decks and decks on concrete footings, and does interlock work such as walkways and patios, in the Ottawa area. At the first conversation, ask who files the locate request and when.