Insights > August 11 Serves as Reminder to Call Before You Dig

August 11 Serves as Reminder to Call Before You Dig

By:

08/05/2020

Avoid damaging buried utility lines by calling 811

With people spending more time at home than usual, lawn and garden projects have taken on increased importance.  If you have such a project planned, make sure to ‘Call Before You Dig’.

August 11 serves as a reminder for customers to call 811 to have underground utility lines marked before starting any digging project. When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to Mississippi 811, which notifies local utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both. It is a free service.

Every few minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone began digging without first contacting 811. Striking a single line or pipe can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages and fines. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting.

The depth of utility lines can vary for many reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects or uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that has previously been marked, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.

At a time when we all are relying on important utilities to connect us and keep us safe at home, calling 811 or visiting MS811.org is crucial to identifying which utilities are buried in your area so that you dig safely.

Visit MS811.org for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.