MONTGOMERY — Call 811 … can you dig it?
It’s the season of planting and digging and, unfortunately sometimes, damaging underground lines.
To avoid damaging important underground utility lines that could cause injury and service disruptions, residents are reminded to contact 811 at least two days before beginning their digging projects.
As a reminder, the Public Service Commission recognizes this month as “811 Safe Digging Month” and recommends Alabamians use the free service.
“To prevent unnecessary damage to utilities around your home, call 811 before you dig,” PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh said. “Calling 811 first protects you, your family, your home and your community.”
Other around-the-house projects to utilize the service, which is required by law before any excavation can begin, include landscaping, installing a fence or adding a deck onto the home. Once a utility company is notified, the company will send a representative to the homeowner’s property to mark underground lines with paint and flags.
“National Safe Digging Month serves as an important safety reminder we want everyone to take note of before starting their spring and summer outdoor projects,” Commissioner Jeremy H. Oden said. “The simple yet crucial step of contacting 811 not only ensures the safety of the homeowner before they dig, but also helps prevent damage and service interruptions for underground utilities like natural gas, electricity and water.”
