As spring arrives across Ontario, many homeowners are preparing for outdoor projects. Gardens are planted, fences are repaired, decks are improved, and trees and shrubs are added to yards. These projects may seem simple, but any digging without proper precautions can have serious consequences.
Underground utility lines are often buried just below the surface of your property. These lines carry essential services like gas, electricity, water, and telecommunications to your home and to others nearby. Hitting one of these lines can put your household and your neighbours at risk.
Striking an underground utility can cause immediate service outages, create dangerous situations, and lead to costly emergency repairs. It can leave homes without heat, power, or internet, and in some cases, result in injuries or significant property damage. What starts as a routine project can quickly become a serious incident.
This is not uncommon. Each year in Ontario, underground utility lines are damaged more than 3,900 times, about 17 incidents every workday (Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance, 2025). Many of these incidents are preventable by requesting locates to identify the utility lines below the ground.
Research from Ontario One Call shows that 57% of homeowners did not request a locate before their last digging project, despite it being required by law. 80% either do not realize or mistakenly believe that small projects, such as planting shrubs, do not require a locate. No matter the size of the project, if you are breaking ground, requesting a locate is a critical safety step and required by law (Ontario One Call, 2025).
If you are hiring a contractor, do not assume this step has been taken. Always confirm that a valid locate has been requested before any digging begins. Overlooking this critical step can lead to serious and avoidable consequences.
With 66% of homeowners planning to dig this year (Ontario One Call, 2025), the risk of damage increases significantly. Make sure your project is not the one that disrupts your neighbourhood.
Requesting a locate is not simply a precaution. It is a legal requirement and part of being a responsible member of your community. Submitting a request at OntarioOneCall.ca ensures utility owners are notified about your intention to dig so they can mark the underground utilities before work begins, helping prevent service disruptions, injuries, and costly damage.
Do not take chances with your home or your safety. Before you dig, request a locate at OntarioOneCall.ca.