TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 28, 2014) - Water from this year's spring thaw and April showers can surface sewer blockages that went unnoticed before. Enbridge Gas Distribution reminds you to call Ontario One Call for a free Natural Gas Sewer Safety Inspection before attempting to clear a blockage beyond the outside walls of a building.

It is possible that some natural gas lines may have inadvertently intersected with sewer lines. A serious safety risk may arise if equipment used to clear a blocked sewer line damages an intersecting natural gas line. Damage to a natural gas line can result in a gas leak, fire or explosion.

Fortunately, you can avoid risk to yourself and others by making a simple phone call before you clear beyond the walls of a building. Before any work begins using rotating equipment (such as a motorized auger, power snake or other root-cutting equipment) or water-jetting equipment, people should call 1-800-400-2255 and have Ontario One Call arrange for an Enbridge representative to conduct a free inspection to avoid potential damage to underground natural gas lines.

"Public safety is our priority and that's why we take proactive steps with the Natural Gas Sewer Safety program," says Jim Sanders, the vice president of engineering and integrity for Enbridge Gas Distribution. "Many people know about call before you dig and we want them to call before they clear too."

This important message is included in short Enbridge Gas Distribution safety videos that can be easily shared on social media from www.sixsecondsafety.com.

As an alternative to calling Ontario One Call, drain clearing service providers can attempt to perform a clear and complete video inspection of the sewer service line to rule out the presence of a natural gas line prior to using any rotating equipment or water jetting equipment. If the presence of a natural gas line cannot be conclusively ruled out or if the blockage cannot be cleared with non-motorized equipment such as push rods, Enbridge strongly encourages you to call Ontario One Call for a free Natural Gas Sewer Safety Inspection.

Enbridge has an ongoing safety campaign to raise awareness regarding the importance of calling Ontario One Call before any work begins to clear a blocked sewer line beyond the outside walls of a building. Plumbers, municipal sewer operator and property managers may call 1-888-880-8948 for general information.

Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 165-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Enbridge Gas Distribution delivers safe, reliable natural gas in more than 100 communities across Ontario and is a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com/sewersafety and follow @enbridgegasnews on Twitter.