Call Before You Clear: Ontario Safety Partners Unite to Raise Sewer Safety Awareness

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Call Before You Clear: Ontario Safety Partners Unite to Raise Sewer Safety AwarenessAuthor of the article:GUELPH, Ontario, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ontario One Call (OOC), Enbridge Gas, TSSA, Utilities Kingston, and Kitchener Utilities are partnering to raise public awareness about Sewer Safety Week, running from September 14 to September 18, 2026. The joint safety initiative aims to inform homeowners and plumbers about sewer safety inspections that can prevent a sewer cross bore when addressing blockages outside their homes.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“I am proud to collaborate with our partners across Ontario to bring greater focus to sewer safety. Sewer inspections are free and easy to book and help prevent serious incidents, service disruptions, and injuries. They are treated as emergency calls and are available 24/7. If a sewer is blocked, remember to Call Before You Clear. Contact Ontario One Call before attempting to clear the pipe to help ensure everyone’s safety,” said Mitch Panciuk, President and CEO of Ontario One Call.Sewer blockages within the home can be safely removed by the homeowner or a licenced plumber. However, if a blockage comes from outsides the home, it is crucial to consider the risk of a sewer cross bore.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againA sewer cross bore occurs when underground natural gas pipes are unintentionally installed through sewer pipes. While uncommon, the situation can remain unnoticed, and pipes can co-exist safely until the sewer pipe is blocked and needs to be cleared.Mechanical plumbing tools used to clear blockages can easily damage natural gas pipes and cause a hazardous gas leak.If a sewer is blocked outside your home:Contact OOC at 1-800-400-2255 before clearing the blockage.OOC will notify the gas companies that will perform a free sewer safety inspection.If no cross bores are detected, homeowners or plumbers can proceed safely with clearing the blockage. If there is a potential cross bore, the appropriate utility will resolve the issue at no cost.“Utilities Kingston remains committed to public and infrastructure safety,” said Rob Bowen, Supervisor of Inspection and Support at Utilities Kingston. “When you request a free sewer safety inspection, our certified damage prevention technicians promptly address any sewer safety concerns within our service area. Remember to always contact Ontario One Call before clearing an outside sewer blockage to avoid the risk of damaging a gas line.”“Failing to check for a sewer cross bore before clearing a sewer blockage can have dangerous and potentially catastrophic consequences,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels Safety Program with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). “When plumbing equipment damages a natural gas line that intersects a sewer pipe, it can create a risk of gas leaks, fires, explosions, injuries, and significant property damage. A free emergency locate through Ontario One Call is a simple but critical step that can help prevent these incidents and keep communities safe.”For media inquiries, please reach out to: Media@OntarioOneCall.ca.Ontario One Call is a public safety administrative authority that acts as a communications link between underground infrastructure owners, and individuals who are planning to dig in the province of Ontario. In 2012, the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act was passed, which stipulates by law that anyone in the province of Ontario must contact Ontario One Call before they dig.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Enbridge Gas is Canada’s largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario, with 2023 marking its 175th anniversary of serving customers. The distribution business provides safe, affordable, reliable energy to about 3.9 million customers and is innovating to contribute to a lower-carbon energy future. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com to learn more.For media inquiries, contact 613-546-4291, ext. 2300.Utilities Kingston is a unique integrated multi-utility provider, delivering water, wastewater, natural gas, electricity, and fibre services through a shared service model. This approach creates efficiencies, improves customer experience, and supports long-term community resilience. For more than 150 years, Utilities Kingston has been trusted to provide safe, reliable utility services while helping advance climate action and build a resilient future for the communities it serves.About Kitchener Utilities Kitchener Utilities is a division of the City of Kitchener and is one of two gas utilities in Ontario that is municipally owned. For over 120 years, they have delivered water and gas services to the citizens of Kitchener.Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services includes public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.Ian Simpson, VP of Education and Brandmedia@OntarioOneCall.caNotice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.