2018 DIRT Report Released

CCGA DIRT Report Estimates Damage to Buried Utilities Continues to Cost Canada at Least $1 Billion Every Year

NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. (Oct. 9, 2019) – The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) released the 2018 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report in Niagara Falls, Ontario during its annual National Damage Prevention Symposium. This report presents characteristics, themes and contributing factors leading to damages in Canada as reported via the DIRT system.

In 2018, there were 11,693 damages reported via DIRT for Canada; on average, 47 reported damages per work day (assuming 254 work days per year). The societal cost of these damages to underground infrastructure in Canada continues to be estimated at least $1 billion per year.

Among all damage reports with an identified and known root cause, 22% occurred because no locate request was made to a One Call Centre and 38% were the result of insufficient excavation practices.

While reporting damages in DIRT is voluntary, the data is critical for the CCGA to determine root causes
and develop mitigating measures to reduce and eliminate them.

Highlights:

• 11,693 damages voluntarily reported in 2018 – 2.6% higher than 2017.
• 47 damages occurred per work day.
• 22% of damages are the direct result of not making a locate request to a One Call Centre.
• Damages cost Canadians $1 Billion annually.

The complete 2018 DIRT Report is available to download at www.canadiancga.com. Stakeholders interested in submitting data to the 2019 report, or establish a Virtual Private Dirt account, should visit the DIRT website at www.cga-dirt.com.

 

Mike Sullivan
President - Canadian Common Ground Alliance

Media Inquiries: info@CanadianCGA.com