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Wlaf1450More than 60-million homeowners plan to dig this spring— here’s how to stay safe before breaking ground
ROCKY TOP, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Spring digging season is here, and it’s a busy one. In observance of April as National Safe Digging Month, Powell Clinch Utility District (PCUD) is 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.
“With tens of millions of digging projects planned this year, the scale of activity alone makes safe digging practices more important than ever,” said Rob Neil, President of PCUD. “Contacting 811 is cost-free for homeowners, it takes just a few minutes, and it can prevent a disaster. There is no project too small to warrant that call.”
The survey also found that the most common reason homeowners skip contacting 811 is assuming their project is too shallow to pose a risk – a misconception that continues to put people and property in harm’s way. From planting a tree to installing a mailbox to setting up a backyard fence, no digging project is exempt from the risk of hitting an underground utility.
Safe Digging Steps for Homeowners
To prevent utility damage and ensure safety, PCUD 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 here.
How 811 Works
Everyone who contacts 811 before digging is connected to a local 811 center, which communicates the request to utility companies in the area. Professional locators will then 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.
“Making a quick 811 request before digging is a simple step that can prevent dangerous and costly mistakes,” added Rob Neil. “By spreading awareness and encouraging responsible digging practices, we can keep communities safe and prevent unnecessary utility disruptions.”
For more information on safe digging and the 811 process, visit tenn811.com.
About Powell Clinch Utility District
Powell Clinch Utility District (PCUD) is a not-for-profit municipal utility serving portions of Anderson and Campbell counties. PCUD’s mission is To Provide Safe and Efficient Energy Service to Our Customers, and since 1959, we have strived to accomplish this mission by providing superior customer service, professional safety-focused gas service and competitive gas rates. PCUD is headquartered in Rocky Top where its administrative office and operations facility are located. A branch office is located in LaFollette. PCUD offers natural gas along with sales, service and installation of gas appliances. Presently PCUD serves approximately 17,000 customers, has 66 employees and its distribution system covers approximately 880 miles of gas main line. For more information, visit PCUD.
About Common Ground Alliance
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 4,000 damage prevention professionals spanning every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage prevention data and information in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA.
About the survey
Online survey among 619 US Homeowners, aged 18+ fielded between Feb.26-27, 2026. The survey was conducted by SurveyMonkey Audience on behalf of CGA. The margin of error based on a 95% confidence level is +/- 4%. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/06/2026-6AM)