Landscaping around electrical equipment Electrical equipment and natural gas lines are a part of every home s landscaping. Whether these are visible, such as an overhead powerline or a padmount transformer, or hidden, like buried electrical or natural gas lines, they should be taken into consideration before any landscaping is done. If you plan to excavate on your property in order to plant trees or build a fence, remember to call Manitoba Hydro before you dig. Striking buried electrical or natural gas equipment can result in serious injury. By calling before you dig, you prevent damage and save the costs of unnecessary repairs, which you may be liable for. More importantly, your call will prevent loss of life, injury, environmental pollution, equipment damage, product losses and service outages. If you are outside of Winnipeg, call Manitoba Hydro at 1 888 MB HYDRO (1-888-624-9376) or in Winnipeg call 480-1212. Manitoba Hydro will arrange to have trained personnel visit your property and mark the locations of underground electrical and natural gas lines as well as vaults containing transformers or electrical switchgear. During peak construction from April to October, please call one to two weeks prior to your planned excavation. The remainder of the year, please allow two working days notice to locate lines on your property. You should also be aware of any overhead powerlines in your yard if you will be working with oversize equipment. Any contact with overhead powerlines could be dangerous. A tree that comes into contact with a powerline can be energized, creating a hazard for people at ground level. To prevent these hazards, property owners are encouraged to plant trees that will not cause a problem down the road. Keep all plantings to a minimum of two metres back from the powerline, and plant taller growing trees such as willow, ash, maple or evergreen trees at least six metres back from the powerline. If these trees are closer, they will ultimately require continued trimming and maintenance. Consider planting low-growing shrubs that will attract attention to your yard and away from overhead lines. For more information on safe landscaping near powerlines, contact your local Manitoba Hydro district office or check our website at www.hydro.mb.ca. Padmount transformers Many homeowners have padmount electrical transformers located on their property. It is possible to attractively landscape around these transformers without compromising safety or function. Following are acceptable species of ornamental shrubs and desirable planting arrangements. These recommendations apply to residential property. Landscaping guidelines for padmount transformers 1. Follow species list provided for lot size. 2. Do not plant on padlock side of unit. Please allow at least three metres for clearances for maintenance and repairs on distribution equipment. 3. Final soil grade to be 200 mm below top of pad. 4. Do not plant between the transformer and the MTS pedestal. 5. Fill-in plantings permitted. 6. Place planting stock according to grid provided in Diagram 1, 2 or 3. MISC/15 08 08 rev
For lots 50 feet or less in width: Recommended species for lots 50 feet or less in width. Refer to Diagram 1 for corresponding plant numbers. 1 Coronation Triumph Potentilla 2 Skandia Juniper 3 Coronation Triumph Potentilla 4 Skandia Juniper 5 Skandia Juniper 6 Coronation Triumph Potentilla 7 Goldflame Spirea 8 Skandia Juniper 9 Goldflame Spirea For lots over fifty feet wide Option 1: Recommended species for lots over 50 feet wide, Option 1. Refer to Diagram 2 for corresponding plant numbers. 1 Goldflame Spirea 2 Compact American Cranberry Bush 3 Weeping Peashrub Caragana 4 Cream Edge Dogwood 5 Coronation Triumph Potentilla 6 Red Osier Dogwood 7 Cream Edge Dogwood or Snowhite Spirea For lots over fifty feet wide Option 2: Recommended species for lots over 50 feet wide, Option 2. Refer to Diagram 3 for corresponding plant numbers. 1 Blue Danube Juniper 2 Blue Danube Juniper 3 Darts Gold Ninebark 4 Weeping Peashrub Caragana 5 Golden Pfitzer Juniper 6 Golden Pfitzer Juniper 7 Cream Edge Dogwood 8 Coronation Triumph Potentilla 9 Golden Pfitzer Juniper 10 Golden Pfitzer Juniper 11 Coronation Triumph Potentilla Two options are offered to homeowners of lots over 50 feet wide for their personal preference. Deciduous and evergreen trees can be used interchangeably in these options. 2 MISC/15 08 08 rev
Diagram 1 3 MISC/15 08 08 rev
Diagram 2 4 MISC/15 08 08 rev
Diagram 3 For information about Manitoba Hydro programs: Toll-free: 1 888 MB HYDRO (1-888-624-9376) www.hydro.mb.ca The information contained herein is published as a convenient reference for Manitoba Hydro s customers and is distributed without charge. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and complete information, Manitoba Hydro does not warrant the accuracy or efficacy thereof. Manitoba Hydro will not be liable for any loss, costs, damage or injury whatsoever, resulting from the use of this material. 5 MISC/15 08 08 rev