Identifying Underground
Hazards on your Property
After submitting a locate request, Ontario Dig Authority will notify buried infrastructure owners that you plan to dig. Representatives, known as damage prevention technicians or locators, from each buried infrastructure owner will come out to mark the location of buried underground lines and cables they own so that you can dig safely.
How To Request Locates
Step 1:
Contact Ontario Dig Authority
Before you dig, submit a locate request.
- Single Address Requests are completed within 5 business days.
- Advanced Requests (projects involving multiple addresses or larger work areas) are completed within 10 business days.
We will notify buried infrastructure owners that you plan to dig.
Step 2:
Get Locates
Each utility company will send a utility locator to mark the location of buried lines and cables at your dig site for free. You must wait until all notified infrastructure owners have responded before you begin digging.
Step 3:
Dig Safely
Dig safely. Follow the instructions that are provided by the locator in the complete locate package.
Looking For Help?
Learn how to submit a public utility locate request by watching our How-to videos or searching the public locate FAQs.
Private Locates
Ontario Dig Authority must always be contacted before digging.
Ontario Dig Authority facilitates locates for public buried infrastructure. However, 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. Examples Include:
- Gas lines to BBQs or pool heaters
- Electrical lines to sheds, detached garages, lights, or signs
- Sewer and septic systems
- Telecom or electrical lines feeding security cameras
Digging at Home
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.
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.
If you have hired a contractor, confirm they have submitted the locate request and received all required responses before excavation begins.
Important Information
Share a Locate
Sharing locates can be done by including another excavator’s contact information in the locate request. If that’s 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. This has the potential to reduce the need for locate service providers to complete the same locates multiple times.
Is There An Unknown Danger Clogging Your Sewer?
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. Before clearing a blocked sewer, confirm that no natural gas lines pass through the sewer pipe. It’s free. It’s easy. It’s safe.
