Similar to other utilities like electricity, telephone, internet and TV cables, water and sewer connections, our pipelines are under the ground. Unfortunately, unauthorized crossing, construction, and digging are leading causes of damage to pipelines and other utilities.
In order to keep you and your community safe, we need your help. It starts by ensuring the right-of-way (the area around the pipeline) remains clear of materials and debris, and that you always receive approval before working in the area. Never assume the depth of a pipeline.
For your safety, the safety of your community and the environment, click or call for approval before you dig to make sure your contractor secures an accurate location of the pipeline and other utilities.
It’s the law to secure approval before:
- Installing underground utility cabling or piping.
- Putting up a fence, poles or posts.
- Building above- or in-ground swimming pools.
- Installing drainage or irrigation systems.
- Landscaping activities that exceed a digging depth of more than 30 cm, including planting or removing trees, stumps or shrubs.
- Paving, blasting or digging.
Does your work also involve the use of heavy machinery near the pipeline?
If so, contact us at [email protected], in Ontario and Quebec, or [email protected], in Alberta, to secure a crossing request form so we can ensure that you won’t cause damage to the underground pipeline when driving heavy machinery near the pipeline or across the right-of-way. Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. (TNPI) will help you through the permitting process so that your project can proceed safely and efficiently.
When you contact us, we will:
- Verify the location of the pipeline1.
- Discuss permit requirements.
- Issue consent or explain why consent cannot be issue, and visit the site to mark the pipeline and right-of-way limits so everyone knows where the pipeline is located2.
- Send an inspector, if needed.
Please review our Crossing Guidelines for more information.
About the CER/AER
For more information regarding the regulator and the damage prevention regulations to protect the pipeline, please visit:
1 Verification varies by region and will occur within 2 business days in Alberta, 3 in Quebec, and 5 in Ontario.
2 Timelines for issuing consent vary by region, and will occur within 10 business days in Ontario & Quebec, and 21 days in Alberta.