Underground utility strikes in Ontario disrupt services, damage property, and create safety risks every year – risks that contractors and property owners could have prevented with proper planning. Whether you’re digging for a new foundation, grading a cottage lane, or installing a septic system, calling for utility locates in Ontario before any excavation isn’t optional – it’s the law.

At M. Riddle Excavating, safety and compliance guide everything we do. Before a project begins, we arrange utility locates to identify underground infrastructure and protect everyone on-site. Understanding how locates work, why they matter, and what Ontario’s rules require can help property owners plan projects responsibly and avoid costly mistakes.

What Are Utility Locates?

Utility locates identify the exact positions of underground infrastructure such as hydro, gas, telecommunications, and water lines. In Ontario, homeowners, contractors, and municipalities can access this service free of charge through Ontario One Call, the organization responsible for coordinating all locate requests.

Trained technicians use specialized detection equipment to visit the site, locate, and mark buried utilities after receiving a request. They use internationally recognized colour codes: yellow for gas, red for electricity, blue for water, orange for communications, and green for sewer lines.

These marks provide a clear visual guide for excavators, showing where they can dig safely and where they must use caution or alternate methods such as hand-digging.

Why Utility Locates in Ontario Matter

Beneath every property lies a complex network of essential services. Striking one of these lines during excavation can cause serious damage, disrupt neighbourhood services, and even result in injury.

Safety – A single mistake can puncture a gas line or cut an electrical conduit, leading to explosions or electrocution.

Service continuity – Damaging one underground cable can shut down power, internet, or water for entire blocks or cottage communities.

Financial and legal liability – Under Ontario law, anyone who damages underground infrastructure without obtaining locates is responsible for repairs, fines, and potential legal action.

Regulatory compliance – The Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act (2012) requires all excavators – including homeowners – to contact Ontario One Call before digging.

In short, utility locates are not a courtesy; they are a legal and safety requirement.

Local Regulations and Legal Framework

The Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act created Ontario One Call to manage locate requests efficiently across the province. The law places responsibility on the person or company performing excavation – not the property owner or utility company – to ensure valid locates are in place.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act and its associated construction regulations also require employers to identify the location of all utilities before work begins. Failing to comply can lead to stop-work orders, penalties, and increased liability exposure.

In Kingston, Napanee, and Frontenac County, local conservation authorities and municipalities reinforce these provincial requirements through their permitting processes. Municipalities or permitting authorities often require proof of completed utility locates before issuing excavation or building permits.

The Utility Locate Process Step by Step

The process begins by contacting Ontario One Call. Requests can be made online or by phone at least five business days before excavation begins. The caller provides details about the type of work, project area, and start date.

Once the request is logged, Ontario One Call notifies all relevant utility owners in the area. Each utility dispatches technicians or contractors to locate and mark their infrastructure. Depending on the site, several visits may be required – one for each utility company.

After technicians mark all utilities, the excavator receives a locate report that includes drawings or digital maps confirming their locations. Each locate stays valid for a set period, usually 30 days, and if work continues beyond that, the excavator must request updated markings.

Professionals like M. Riddle Excavating schedule these steps well before project start dates to avoid downtime and ensure that all markings remain valid when equipment arrives.

How Utility Locates Affect Excavation Planning

Utility locates shape how an excavation is designed and executed. Once utilities are marked, contractors adjust machine placement, digging depths, and movement patterns to avoid damage.

Excavators must stay outside the tolerance zone, typically one metre on either side of the utility markings. Within this area, contractors hand-dig or use vacuum excavation to expose lines safely before continuing with mechanical equipment. This method is especially important for projects involving septic system installation where underground utilities and drainage systems often overlap.

Locates also affect scheduling and site logistics. In high-traffic areas or older neighbourhoods, the density of underground services may require extra time for precise digging and coordination. By integrating this planning early, professionals prevent unnecessary project delays.

Common Misconceptions About Utility Locates

Some homeowners assume locates are only necessary for large commercial or construction projects. That’s not the case. Even small projects like installing a fence post, planting trees, or building a retaining wall require valid locates.

Another misconception is that once a locate is done, it covers the property indefinitely. In reality, locate markings fade, site conditions change, and tickets expire after a set period. Excavators must refresh locates if the project timeline extends beyond the original validity window.

Relying on outdated maps or past locate reports creates serious risks, as utility networks change constantly with new connections and rerouting. Only a current Ontario One Call ticket provides accurate, legal information. Our service approach starts by verifying every locate before equipment arrives on site, ensuring all digging happens safely and follows provincial regulations – giving property owners peace of mind.

What Happens When You Skip a Locate?

Failing to request utility locates in Ontario can have serious consequences. According to the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance, utility damages cost millions of dollars annually – much of it from unapproved digging.

Without valid locates, anyone who damages buried infrastructure must cover repair costs, environmental remediation, and any third-party claims. The Ministry of Labour can issue fines, and insurance policies may deny coverage if the work did not follow legal procedures.

The Professional Advantage

Experienced excavation contractors eliminate these risks by managing locates as part of their standard process. At M. Riddle Excavating, we contact Ontario One Call as soon as a project is approved, verify all incoming reports, and coordinate with utility owners to confirm their markings before work begins.

Our team reviews site drawings carefully, identifies potential conflicts, and adjusts excavation plans accordingly. We use equipment and digging techniques suited for working near sensitive infrastructure, ensuring safety and efficiency.

By maintaining communication with utility companies, inspectors, and property owners, we prevent avoidable disruptions and deliver projects that meet both safety and compliance standards. Our past projects across Kingston, Napanee, and Frontenac show how proactive planning ensures smooth, delay-free results.

Connecting Utility Locates to Broader Site Safety

Utility locates are one piece of the larger safety and site preparation puzzle. Just as setbacks protect shorelines and radon mitigation rules safeguard indoor air, locates protect what lies unseen underground. Proper grading and drainage prevent erosion, and understanding good soil supports stable foundations. Together, these practices demonstrate responsible land management and thoughtful excavation.

Final Thoughts

Before any excavation project in Ontario, utility locates are the essential first step. They protect people, property, and infrastructure while keeping your project compliant with provincial law.

At M. Riddle Excavating, we treat locates as the foundation of every job we undertake – from small grading projects to large-scale site preparation. Our team coordinates with Ontario One Call, verifies all underground information, and excavates safely and efficiently. If you’re planning any kind of excavation in Kingston, Napanee, Frontenac, or Rideau Lakes, contact our team before you break ground. With the right preparation and professional guidance, your project can move forward safely, on schedule, and without costly surprises.