Question 1

Excavated soil from an Ottawa patio dig: who hauls it away?

Accepted Answer

The City of Ottawa's Trail Waste Facility lists soil (top soil, sand, sod) at $81.90 per tonne, and large quantities over 5 tonnes must be pre-approved; its fill rate is for asphalt, masonry and concrete without rebar. Ask the contractor to spell out in the quote what happens to the spoil. Who removes it comes down to what the written quote says. Ask before signing whether excavation spoil is included, how much soil the dig is expected to produce, and where it will go.

Question 2

Are private lines to my Orleans shed marked by a locate?

Accepted Answer

The Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 requires a locate request before any digging, and Ontario Dig Authority relays that request to buried infrastructure owners, who then mark their lines. We found no statement in that Act or on Ontario Dig Authority's site confirming that privately owned lines, such as a line running from your house to a shed, are marked through that process.

Question 3

Does Trail Road take concrete with rebar in Ottawa?

Accepted Answer

The City of Ottawa's Trail Waste Facility rate sheet lists "Fill (asphalt, masonry, concrete without rebar)" at $144 per tonne above 250 kg, with a $36 minimum for loads under 250 kg. That category is specifically described as concrete without rebar, and the rate sheet also requires it to be free of waste including metal. We found no City rate or acceptance category for concrete with rebar or wire mesh at the Trail facility.

Question 4

Do locate marks expire before my Ottawa pour?

Accepted Answer

We found no expiry for locate marks in the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, and no number of days from Ontario Dig Authority for how long a locate stays valid. That means you should not assume the marks on your lawn are still good just because the dig has not started yet. Here is what the Act does say.

Locates & Disposal

Excavated soil from an Ottawa patio dig: who hauls it away?

Are private lines to my Orleans shed marked by a locate?

Does Trail Road take concrete with rebar in Ottawa?

Do locate marks expire before my Ottawa pour?