Vancouver Island had some of the highest incidents of damage done to underground infrastructure in the province, with Nanaimo making up at least 15 per cent of all Island cases. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Nathan Maley

SAFE DIGGING

Nanaimo led Van Isle in underground gas line damage in 2023

Apr 17, 2024 | 2:51 PM

NANAIMO — Despite multiple public awareness campaigns, local residents and contractors are still damaging underground infrastructure.

Data from Fortis BC shows Nanaimo recorded 20 gas line strikes from digging activities in 2023, the most by any one city in the region and 15 per cent of all reports on Vancouver Island.

Fortis BC spokesperson Holly Harrison said Vancouver Island had 132 total lines hit last year, representing nearly 16 per cent of underground infrastructure damages province-wide.

“Not knowing the locations of underground gas lines, it can really cause a personal risk of injury, it can cause instructing essential services for other community members, and it can also lead to costly repairs if the steps are not taken properly.”

Just under 850 lines were damaged last year, with Metro Vancouver having the most incidents, followed by the Thompson-Okanogan, and then the Island.

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With spring here and summer approaching, Fortis BC is asking anyone conducting excavation work on their property to know exactly where the underground infrastructure is.

Of the 844 total damages, nearly 70 per cent were a direct result of work being conducted without contacting BC 1 Call.

BC 1 Call was founded in 1994, and serves as a province-wide non-profit to provide information on locations of underground services before digging is conducted.

Despite incidents dropping by nearly 10 per cent year over year since 2020, president and CEO of BC 1 Call Chris Hyland said more needs to be done.

“Though the number of registered BC 1 Call users continues to climb each year, there are many contractors, landscapers and homeowners who still aren’t aware of safe digging practices, which is why we are continuing to see damage.”

Damaging gas lines is even possible in basic gardening activities such as planting fruit trees and perennials.

However, nearly 75 per cent of damage is caused by contractors in B.C.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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