Can you dig it? Call 811 before turning the first shovelful of dirt around the house

MONTGOMERY — With Aug. 11 (8/11) coming up, the Alabama Public Service Commission reminds homeowners to dial 811 before starting digging projects.

For “811 Day,” the PSC offers the free service for homeowners to contact 811 at least two days before projects that require digging where important utility lines could be located.

“Whether you’re a homeowner tackling a weekend project or a contractor on the job,  contacting 811 before you dig is essential,” PSC President Cynthia Lee Almond said. “It’s a free and simple step that protects lives, prevents costly damage, and ensures you avoid any underground utility lines.

“Just dial 811 or visit al811.com before you break ground and take the first step toward a safe and successful project.” 

When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to the statewide one-call  center, which notifies the appropriate 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. 

“Something as simple as landscape, installing a mailbox or doing any sort of home improvement work can have major consequences for you and your neighbor if you are not familiar with what lies beneath the ground,” Commissioner Chris V. Beeker III said. “Contacting 811 is a free and impactful resource for anyone to use.

“Having the ‘call before you dig’ hotline is an asset, and we hope to encourage everyone to remember to utilize that when doing any small- to large-scale project.” 

Erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces can cause utility line depth to vary.  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.

“Aug. 11 serves as a very important safety reminder we want everyone to take note of before starting their next backyard project,” Commissioner Jeremy H. Oden said. “The simple, yet critical, step of contacting 811 not only ensures the safety of the homeowner before they dig, but also helps avoid timely and costly repairs, inconvenience and outages.”