At this time of year when people might be finishing up their landscaping, Manitoba Hydro is reminding people to be careful around gas lines and meters as well as overhead trees.
Peter Chura is Media Relations Officer and says hydro equipment around your home is something to look out for.
"Be careful not to bury or block or obstruct any hydro equipment. The gas meter, for instance, it's attached to your house and it must remain accessible. That includes the gas line which is known as a 'riser' that runs from the meter down into the ground and includes a shut-off valve. If you're adding soil, stones, or other material up against your house, take care not to bury the riser and the valve because that valve might be needed in emergency to quickly shut off your gas needs to be accessible at the top and bottom. At least three inches clearance is required if you do any work around the gas meter. Also take care not to damage it with heavy machinery or tools or equipment."
He notes there is always potential for danger, as well.
"While landscaping, if you're using concrete or asphalt at the base of that gas line, make sure you put a plastic sleeve like a PVC pipe coming up from the ground around the riser to protect it from potential damages like ground shifts. Most people are aware of the risks and dangers, but when it gets to be landscaping time, then it's a good idea to to keep that in mind. And we like to pass that reminder along whenever, whenever we can."
Chura notes that every so often, hydro equipment is obstructed , but, hopefully, not damaged. Take care around the hydro equipment. It also applies to things like, let's say, tree planting. Before you plant a tree, take a look up to see if the tree that you're going to plant looks like it might touch an overhead power line as it grows, or find another location. Plant trees at minimum of two meters back from the power line. Plant taller growing trees like Willow, Ash, Maple, and Evergreen at least six metres back of the power line."
When landscaping, digging is often involved and he adds any time you plan to dig lower than 15 centimetres, "Click before you dig."
"Go to clickforadigmb.com, so we can make sure there are no gas or electricity lines wherever you plan to sink that new fence post, plant new trees, or install the fire pit. Click before you dig where you go."
Chura adds if your yard has a large green metal box called a pad mount transformer, it contains the transformer that reduces the voltage and electricity to your home and distributes it around the neighbourhood.
"Don't block the padlock side of the pad mount transformer, if it's with our shrubs, fencing, or what have you. The lock side must be available for our crews to come and do maintenance from time to time."
He explains children often play around the, and they're safe so long as everyone knows that these units have cables beneath the ground, and digging will require the 'Click Before You Dig' research first.
At this time of year, when people might be finishing up their landscaping, Manitoba Hydro is reminding everyone to be cautious around gas lines, meters, and overhead power lines.
Peter Chura, Media Relations Officer at Manitoba Hydro, says hydro equipment around your home is something to watch out for.
“Be careful not to bury, block, or obstruct any hydro equipment. The gas meter, for instance, is attached to your house and must remain accessible. That includes the gas line, also known as the 'riser,' which runs from the meter down into the ground and includes a shut-off valve. If you’re adding soil, stones, or other material against your house, be careful not to bury the riser or valve, as it may be needed in an emergency to quickly shut off your gas. The valve needs to be accessible at both the top and bottom, with at least three inches of clearance if you do any work around the gas meter. Also, take care not to damage it with heavy machinery, tools, or equipment.”
He notes there is always the potential for danger as well.
“When landscaping, if you’re using concrete or asphalt near the base of that gas line, make sure to install a protective plastic sleeve, like a PVC pipe, around the riser to shield it from potential damage, such as ground shifts. Most people are aware of the risks, but during landscaping season, it’s a good idea to keep this in mind. We like to pass along this reminder whenever we can.”
Chura says hydro equipment is sometimes obstructed, but hopefully not damaged. He urges caution around hydro equipment.
“This also applies to activities like tree planting. Before you plant a tree, look up to see if it might touch an overhead power line as it grows. If so, find another location. Plant trees at least two metres back from the power line. For taller trees like willows, ash, maples, or evergreens, plant them at least six metres away from the line.”
When landscaping, digging is often involved. Chura advises that any time you plan to dig deeper than 15 centimetres, you should "Click Before You Dig."
“Visit clickbeforeyoudigmb.com so we can ensure there are no gas or electricity lines where you plan to put that new fence post, plant trees, or install a fire pit. Always click before you dig.”
Chura adds that if your yard has a large green metal box, known as a pad-mount transformer, it contains the transformer that reduces the voltage of electricity to your home and distributes it around the neighbourhood.
“Don’t block the padlock side of the pad-mount transformer with shrubs, fencing, or anything else. The lock side must remain accessible for our crews to perform maintenance when necessary.”
He explains that while children often play around these transformers, they are safe as long as everyone knows that cables run beneath the ground. Any digging near them requires a “Click Before You Dig” request first.