Call Before You Dig

ATCO Gas is concerned with the safety of homeowners, contractors, employees and communities.

The most common reason a natural gas line is hit is because the homeowner or contractor did not have underground utilities located before they planted trees, dug fence post holes, anchored supports for a deck, or removed tree roots.

What if I hit a line?

• If you suspect the natural gas line has been damaged, call 911 or ATCO Gas'
  24-Hour Emergency Response. Any line damage, no matter how minor must be reported to ATCO Gas.

• Do not attempt to repair the leak or stop escaping gas.
• Clear all people from the vicinity of the leak.
• Shut off or remove any sources of ignition and extinguish cigarettes or any open flame.

Hitting a natural gas line can result in significant property damage, serious injury and even death.  We encourage customers to call Alberta One-Call at 1-800-242-3447 at least two days before starting any outdoor project - they will locate and mark all underground utilities at no charge.

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The dirt on natural gas line hits

• The most common reason a gas line is hit is because the homeowner or contractor did not have underground lines located by calling Alberta One-Call before they planted trees, dug fence post holes, anchored supports for a deck, removed tree roots etc.
• The second most common reason is that the line was not properly hand exposed.
• It’s possible that gas lines could be buried just a few inches below the surface.  As structures are built and topsoil is moved, the cover over gas lines can be changed, resulting in the lines being much closer to the surface. That's why it's so important to contact Alberta One-Call to find out where the lines are, and to ensure they're hand exposed in a safe manner.
• Lines have been hit digging fence post holes, anchoring supports for decks and swing sets, planting trees, removing tree roots, and driving landscaping stakes into the ground.
• Hitting a natural gas line has a big impact on service. Customers can be without gas service for anywhere from an hour to one or more days, depending on where the hit line is located and the extent of the damage.
• Hit lines are expensive, and you could be liable for the costs to repair the line

Who pays repair costs? 

To be fair to our customers who do dig responsibly, ATCO Gas collects the cost to repair the hit line and restore service from the individual or company causing the damage.  It may be as little as a few hundred dollars or as much as thousands of dollars.

The cost includes ATCO Gas' time and resources to respond, repair the line and restore service to affected customers, the cost of the escaping natural gas, and – in some areas of Alberta – the fire department response costs.

How can I prevent a hit line?

• Call Before You Dig. Call Alberta One-Call at 1-800-242-3447 (or visit www.alberta1call.com) at least two working days before starting your construction or landscaping project to have underground lines located. Alberta One-Call provides a single point-of-contact to request natural gas and other underground facilities to be marked.
• Whether your project is big or small – make the call. Utility lines could be located more than a metre below the ground, or just a couple of inches.
• If your project requires digging within one metre on either side of locate marks, expose the gas line by hand before using any digging equipment, even a tree spade.
• Do not construct buildings, additions, eaves, garages or enclosed patios over gas lines. Provincial regulations allow small, portable, free-standing garden sheds provided no permanent foundation is installed.
• Plant trees at least one metreaway from locate marks. Some tree varieties may require additional clearance. If you are unsure, call your local ATCO Gas office before planting.
   

What happens when a line is hit?  

When a natural gas line is hit and punctured there may be a hissing sound (depending on the pressure in the line) and a sulphur or rotten-egg odour.

In a wide-open area, because natural gas is lighter than air, the natural gas escapes up into the atmosphere, reducing potential danger of explosion or fire. In an enclosed area, there is great concern for safety and immediate evacuation of the area may be required.

How does ATCO Gas respond? 

To repair a hit line and restore service in a residential area, generally ATCO Gas will:

• Make the area safe. This includes evacuation of nearby homes or buildings and, if necessary, shutting down the electrical power to the area.

• Dig down to the line.

• Squeeze off the line upstream of the break to stop the flow of natural gas.

• Make the repair to the line.

• Gain access to each home or building to re-light the furnace and natural gas appliance pilot lights.

 ATCO Gas investigates every hit line. In addition, depending on the nature of the hit line, the local fire department may also be involved.

Working around natural gas distribution pipelines (pdf brochure)

When planning any outdoor projects or new home construction, your safety depends on knowing the location of your underground gas lines. The following brochure provides more information about working around natural gas distribution pipelines and planning for garage construction or property renovations.

• Working around natural gas distribution pipelines - safety handbook (pdf)

  • Homeowner version

  • Contractor version

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ATCO Gas 24-Hour Emergency Response

ATCO Gas continues to provide 24-hour emergency response service in all the communities we serve:

Edmonton: 420-5585
Calgary: 245-7222
Red Deer: 347-9576

All other areas: 1-800-511-3447