Utilities Kingston Issues Caution on Clearing Blocked Sewer Lines

Published on: 2020/02/18 - in News

Residents and business owners are being reminded by Utilities Kingston that attempting to clear a sewer line could put you at risk of damaging an intersecting gas line.

According to the utility, motorized or water jetting equipment – augers or electric sewer snakes – can cause gas leaks if they run into a sewer cross bore. Therefore, Ontario One Call should be contacted first at 1-800-400-2255 for a free sewer safety inspection before you or a plumber use this equipment.

“While new installation techniques used today ensure that new cross bores are not created, there are places where gas lines do inadvertently cross through sewer lines in Kingston,” said Karen Santucci, Manager of Service and Gas Operations, Utilities Kingston. “When left undisturbed, sewer cross bores do not present a safety risk.”

This Utilities Kingston video explains more about this safety issue:


Utility companies across North America began using no-dig or trenchless tunneling technology back in the 1980s as a less disruptive way to install underground utilities. On rare occasions, natural gas pipelines installed with trenchless tunneling methods may inadvertently intersect sewer service lines.

If you suspect a sewer blockage is beyond the walls of your home, call Ontario One Call and your gas utility will respond within two hours to assess the risk of sewer cross bores. They will inspect the sewer and determine whether it is safe to attempt to unclog the pipes using motorized or water jetting equipment.

– Utilities Kingston


Photo: Pixabay (cc)