PCUD urges safe digging during national awareness month
A recent national survey found that 68% of Americans plan to take on a do-it-yourself project involving digging in the next year, but an estimated 27.2 million people do not plan to contact 811 beforehand. Failing to do so puts individuals, neighbors and essential utility services at risk.
Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can cause serious injuries, service outages and costly repairs. Accidentally striking gas, electric, water, sewer or communication lines can result in widespread disruption. A free 811 request can be submitted online at tenn811.com or by calling 811. This request ensures underground utility lines are properly marked before digging begins, helping to prevent accidents and protect communities.
“Failing to contact 811 before digging puts homeowners and their neighbors at risk of injury and utility service interruptions,” said Darren Hatter, training and compliance manager at PCUD. “We found that 46% of Americans don’t plan to notify utility companies because they believe their project is too shallow to require a request. That’s just not the case—you must contact 811 for every dig, every time.”
Even small home projects—such as planting a tree, building a fence or installing a mailbox—can be dangerous if buried utilities are not marked. Many utility lines are located just inches below the surface.
PCUD encourages all residents to follow these steps before starting any digging project:
• Contact 811 a few days before digging, regardless of the project’s size or depth.
• Submit 811 requests early in the week for weekend projects to allow time for markings.
• Wait for all utility lines to be marked before beginning any work.
• Adjust plans if digging is too close to marked lines.
• Confirm that any hired contractors have contacted 811 before starting work.
Learn more at 811beforeyoudig.com.
When someone contacts 811, the request is routed to a local call center. Utility companies are then notified, and professional locators mark the location of buried lines using color-coded flags or paint. Once marked, it is safe to dig while avoiding the designated areas.
“Making a free 811 request before digging is a simple step that can prevent dangerous and costly mistakes,” Hatter said. “By spreading awareness and encouraging responsible digging, we can keep our communities safe and prevent unnecessary utility disruptions.”
For more information, visit tenn811.com.
