Contact Diggers Hotline before that Backyard Project

DIGGING INTO A SUMMER YARD PROJECT? 

CONTACT DIGGERS HOTLINE BEFORE BREAKING GROUND!

Aug. 11 is almost here, and Diggers Hotline hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a reminder for residents to call 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting Diggers Hotline by phone at 811 or online at www.diggershotline.com.   Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that require a free 811 request at least three days before breaking ground.  Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages and fines.

When calling 811, homeowners are connected to Diggers Hotline, which notifies the appropriate utility companies about where you plan to dig.  Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.

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

 Visit www.diggershotline.com for more information about safe digging practices.