Damage Prevention
A leading cause of pipeline incidents is damage from third-party activities.
To protect people and the environment, and to reduce the risk of pipeline damage, federal and provincial/state laws require anyone planning to excavate near a pipeline right-of-way (ROW) to call their local toll-free one-call number in advance of any excavation.
Even though underground pipelines are identified above-ground by pipeline markers, the marker may not necessarily be directly over the pipeline. That's why it's important to contact Enbridge directly at least three days before you do any type of excavation in any area that you believe might be on or near an Enbridge ROW, including:
- fixing or improving an existing ditch, drain tile or fence
- building a berm
- constructing roads, paving, parking, driveways, ditches, railways, overhead or underground utilities
- installing fence posts
- altering the grade or deep tilling the soil
- operating non-agricultural equipment or vehicles on or over the ROW
- encroaching on the ROW with services or other utilities
The construction of buildings, foundations or stockpiling of materials is prohibited on the ROW.
Enbridge representatives must be on-site to supervise any excavation near the ROW.
For installations across the ROW, written permission from Enbridge is required. Depending on the installation, approval could take up to 10 days. We can help you avoid problems and delays by:
- helping you obtain written permission for construction/excavation over Enbridge pipelines
- locating and marking Enbridge pipelines
- acquainting others with the 30-metre safety zone on either side of the ROW (Canada only), and providing guidelines for excavation and blasting
- ensuring an Enbridge field representative is on-site
Please contact Enbridge for your specific ROW questions.