Project overview

The Proactive/ Reactive Cable Replacement Program is the replacement of underground electrical wires and associated infrastructure. This work requires access to our underground utilities, where either a utility right-of-way exists or necessary agreements for land access have been obtained. These underground cables can be located in alleyways, on roadways, or within the city-owned Utility right-of-way residential or commercial properties. Where these utilities exist, depends on the layout of your community.

Proactive projects are the replacement of infrastructure nearing the end of its lifespan, intended to reduce instances of cable faults.

Reactive projects are initiated when multiple unforeseen failures happen on the infrastructure that is not near the end of its lifespan. The most common failures are underground cable faults, for more information please reference the Cable Faults Cheat Sheet below.

Working in the Utility right-of-way (URW)

Given that underground cables are not easily accessible, maintenance and repairs need to be completed by first locating the URW, then excavating the area, completing the work, and finally remediating the land.

A URW is a registered easement granted to The City, by a property owner, which gives utility providers a place to put their infrastructure. A URW can have overhead or underground electrical infrastructure and can be located on the front, back or side of your property.

It is important to know if a right-of-way is located on your property as homeowners are responsible for maintaining this space.

Look up your property on The City of Calgary’s myProperty Map tool

Property owner URW responsibilities:

URWs must be free of obstructions, structures and personal items.
Trees are not permitted to be planted on URWs.
Flowers and shrubs may be planted on URWs however, utility companies are not responsible for replacing flowers or shrubs after our work.

ENMAX URW responsibilities:

Ensuring the electrical infrastructures within URWs are being regularly maintained and repaired safely and reliably.
After the completion of underground cable replacements, ENMAX Power will remediate the land in accordance with The City of Calgary bylaw number 17M2016:
- Greenspace, including lawns will be repaired with seed and loam only.
- All remediation will be completed when weather conditions permit.
- Remediation will only be the width of the excavation area.
ENMAX will identify if tree trimming is required prior to work through our Tree Trimming Program.

For more bylaw information visit The City of Calgary’s Rights-of-way website.

Related resources

ENMAX Distribution Tariff Terms and Conditions

Outages and Safety

Utility Right-of-Ways

Electrical equipment clearance zones

Cable Faults Cheat Sheet

Underground Cable Replacement Program

Project support

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