Spring digging season is here, and it’s a busy one. In observance of April as National Safe Digging Month, Georgia 811 and its utility partners are reminding everyone to contact 811 before breaking ground this season – and a new national survey shows just how high the stakes are. Nearly three in four American homeowners (74%) plan to tackle an outdoor project involving digging this spring, translating to an estimated more than 60 million households breaking ground across the country. Concerningly, an estimated 10 million+ homeowners plan to dig without first contacting 811 – the designated call-before-you-dig service that helps prevent dangerous and costly utility strikes.

Striking an underground utility line – whether gas, electric, water, sewer or communications – can cause serious injury, service disruptions for entire neighborhoods and repair bills that could outpace any DIY savings. And utilities are often shallower than people expect. Lines can be buried just inches below the surface, well within reach of a garden spade or fence post.

“Damage to underground natural gas pipelines can disrupt services and pose safety risks,” said Walt Farrell, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light. “Contacting 811 before digging allows trained professionals to locate the underground systems and mark them so homeowners and contractors can work safely and confidently.”

As one of Georgia’s oldest corporations, Atlanta Gas Light operates and maintains thousands of miles of underground natural gas pipelines. To help the company safely deliver reliable energy to homes and businesses across the state, Atlanta Gas Light encourages homeowners and contractors to make calling 811 or visiting www.Georgia811.com part of every project plan.

How 811 Works

Everyone who contacts 811 before digging in Georgia is connected to Georgia 811, which communicates the request to utility companies in the area. Utility companies will send professional locators to visit the site and mark the approximate location of underground utilities using color-coded paint or flags. Once the area is marked, it is safe to begin digging while carefully avoiding the designated lines.

“With tens of millions of digging projects planned this year, the scale of activity alone makes safe digging practices more important than ever,” said Meghan Rafinski, President and CEO, Georgia 811. “Contacting 811 is cost-free, it takes just a few minutes, and it can prevent a disaster. There is no project too small to warrant that call.”

Safe Digging Steps for Homeowners

To prevent utility damage and ensure safety, Georgia 811 urges homeowners to follow these key steps before starting any digging project:

• Contact 811 a few days before digging - regardless of the project size or depth.
• Plan ahead. Submit a free 811 request early in the week for weekend projects, ensuring enough time for marking.
• Confirm all utility lines are marked before beginning work.
• Adjust project plans if necessary. Consider relocating projects if they are too close to marked utility lines.
• Verify 811 contact with hired contractors. Ensure they have requested utility markings before any work begins.
• Learn more at www.811beforeyoudig.com.

To learn more about Atlanta Gas Light, visit www.AtlantaGasLight.com.

For more information on safe digging in Georgia or to submit a ticket, visit www.Georgia811.com.