BC One Call Limited (BC 1 Call) and the Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia (IIABC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to reinforce collaboration around worker and public safety, excavation safety, damage prevention, professional education and the protection of underground infrastructure throughout the province.
The agreement reflects the particular role played by irrigation professionals, who regularly carry out excavation and ground-disturbance work while installing, maintaining, repairing or replacing underground irrigation systems.
In the course of their activities, these professionals often operate near a wide range of buried assets, including natural gas and petroleum infrastructure, electrical and telecommunications networks, water systems, sanitary and storm infrastructure, as well as other underground facilities, including high-pressure pipelines.
Through their new partnership, BC 1 Call and IIABC intend to increase awareness, promote responsible excavation practices and encourage better planning before any ground is broken. The two organizations will also support the development of professional standards, education, responsible irrigation practices, water stewardship and infrastructure protection.
“Every excavation project, regardless of size, carries the responsibility to protect the critical infrastructure beneath our feet. The risks near high-pressure pipelines are particularly concerning in the absence of proper information provided by BC 1 Call,” said Donna Grant, president of BC 1 Call.
“IIABC has earned a strong reputation for advancing professional excellence in British Columbia’s irrigation industry. By working together, we can help ensure irrigation professionals have the knowledge, resources and support they need to excavate safely, protect underground infrastructure, and safeguard the communities they serve.”
The collaboration will also extend to the organization of professional education programs, conferences, webinars and industry events. Public awareness initiatives, educational resources, stakeholder engagement and other activities are also expected to form part of the partnership.
For Poshak Sachdeva, executive director of IIABC, the agreement highlights the broader responsibilities associated with professional irrigation.
“Professional irrigation is about far more than delivering water efficiently; it is about protecting people, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and carrying out every project responsibly,” Sachdeva said.
“Safety is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is a professional responsibility. This partnership with BC 1 Call reflects our shared commitment to education, responsible excavation, and continuous improvement, helping ensure irrigation professionals have the knowledge and resources to work safely while protecting the underground infrastructure that British Columbians rely on every day.”
“Together, we are strengthening professional standards across our industry while supporting safer communities throughout the province.”
