Washington, D.C. – This National Safe Digging Month, the American Gas Association (AGA) is reminding Americans to ensure that their underground utility lines are marked before digging in their yard to protect themselves and those around them.
Calling 811 to find out where underground utility lines exist before digging is critical to preventing accidents and disruptions in service. Whether planting a tree, digging in the yard, excavating or moving a plant bed, help keep communities safe by calling 811 – the national call-before-you dig hotline – before digging begins. Upon calling 811, professionals come onsite to mark utility lines free of charge before ground is broken.
The 811 Safe Digging project is led by The Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association co-founded by AGA and dedicated to prevention of excavation damages to our country’s underground utility infrastructure. Excavation damages are the leading reason for unplanned outages to energy utilities and telecommunications service, that are experienced by homeowners and businesses.
Anyone who plans to dig can also visit call811.com to contact 811 in their state and keep these tips in mind:
You should call 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes. The specific amount of advance notice that you are required to provide varies by state.
You will need to know the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you are completing and the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig. Whether calling 811 or submitting a request online, you will need the same information.
Wait up to 3 working days to allow utilities to respond to your request and ensure that all utility lines have indeed been marked before breaking ground.
Visit call811.com for tips and resources on safe digging for homeowners and contractors, including information on state-specific processes. Visit AGA.org for additional tips on natural gas safety.
About the American Gas Association
The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 76 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 95 percent — more than 72 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets more than thirty percent of the United States’ energy needs.
Â
