1,000 line hits in 2013 for SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel
All three provincial Crown utility companies are urging people to call before they dig after a high number of buried lines were cut in 2013.
More than 1,000 power, natural gas and telecommunications lines were cut or damaged last year and the Crown utilities want to see than number significantly reduced in 2014. SaskEnergy, SaskPower and SaskTel are expanding their efforts this year to try to stop the rising trend of damage to their infrastructure over the last five years.
For instance, SaskEnergy President and CEO Doug Kelln said they are going to be spending more time in new subdivisions. A new safety patrol is being introduced to ensure safe digging practices are being followed.
All three utilities are also raising awareness of the 'Sask 1st Call' website where anyone with plans to dig can easily request all three utilities to come find a line before they start.