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Homeowners — Line Location

If you plan to dig into the ground, find out where the buried lines are early in the planning process. If you're planning to build a fence, for example, the locations of buried lines may dictate where posts can be placed and the overall design of the fence.

When you call with a line location request, we will ask you for:

  • your daytime telephone number, name, company name (if applicable), and address;
  • the site location, by municipality and street address or by rural legal land description;
  • the type of work being done;
  • the approximate depth of ground disturbance;
  • whether it's public or private property;
  • who the work is being done for;
  • date by which the locate needs to be completed.

Manitoba Hydro will locate the natural gas lines and the electric cables that we own. We have no knowledge of or responsibility for locating facilities owned by others.

How deep are residential hydro and gas lines?

The depth of buried lines can change over time, depending on the type of soil covering them, as well as erosion or other activities going on above-ground. According to provincial legislation, you must call for a line location each time you plan to dig more than 15 cm (6 inches).

Why do I have locate paint on my property if I did not request a line location?

Excavators request locates for a variety of reasons. Cities dig to repair water and sewer lines or rebuild roads/sidewalks, utilities dig to repair or upgrade their lines, etc. If you would like more information about your particular situation, contact the utility in question.

Will you locate my pool heater or barbecue line?

Lines to pool heaters and barbeques are private lines. We do not include private lines in our line location service.

How close to an underground line can I plant a tree?

We recommend planting trees and shrubs at least 1 meter (40 inches) away from underground lines. A small plant can grow to be quite large, and its root system will expand as well. Also see our information about planting to avoid overhead power lines: Right Tree – Right Place.