Enbridge Gas New Brunswick launches new public safety campaign

Enbridge Gas New Brunswick has launched a new public safety campaign to encourage everyone in its service areas to call before taking any steps to clear a blocked sewer line beyond the outside wall of a home or business.

Using rotating or water jetting equipment to clear a blocked sewer line can damage a natural gas line and cause a serious safety risk if certain precautions are not taken.

“Safety is our top priority and that’s why we are taking proactive steps to address this industry wide issue,” explains Ed Armstrong, manager of distribution operations for Enbridge Gas New Brunswick. “This issue affects not just natural gas customers, but anyone doing this type of work or having it done in their home or business.”

“With the launch of this campaign, we want to raise awareness in order for the public to minimize potential safety risks to themselves and others.”

This new initiative has been launched to address an industry-wide safety issue related to the past use of trenchless underground tunneling to install natural gas service lines. It is possible that some natural gas lines installed using this approach may have inadvertently intersected with sewer service lines. Without interference, natural gas lines will remain in a safe condition, even in cases where an intersection with a sewer line has occurred.

Anyone planning to use rotating or water jetting equipment beyond the exterior walls of a building should call Enbridge Gas New Brunswick at 1-800-994-2762. Similar to the Call Before You Dig program, Enbridge Gas New Brunswick will provide a free natural gas pipeline locate to determine if there are natural gas pipelines in the surrounding area.

“Enbridge Gas New Brunswick has changed its construction practices to minimize the potential for safety issues to arise with future trenchless installations,” says Armstrong. “However, the potential for an intersection of natural gas and sewer service lines must be taken into account at any location where trenchless installation practices were used in the past.”

For more general information or to book a locate service, call the toll-free number at 1-800-994-2762. In Saint John call 1-866-344-5463.

Enbridge Gas New Brunswick is regulated by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board and has a distribution network that includes over 781 kilometers of natural gas pipeline. Enbridge Gas New Brunswick serves over 10,800 customers in Dieppe, Fredericton, Moncton, Oromocto, Riverview, Sackville, Saint John, St. George and St. Stephen.