April is National Safe Digging Month

ROCKY TOP, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- A survey finds 46% of Americans plan to dig without contacting 811 beforehand, risking utility disruptions and safety hazards. Powell-Clinch Utility District urges homeowners to contact 811 before every digging to protect communities and prevent costly damages.

In observance of National Safe Digging Month this April, Powell Clinch Utility District (PCUD) is reminding homeowners and professionals to contact 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. A newly released national survey found that 68% of Americans plan to tackle a do-it yourself project involving digging within the next year. However, 27.2 million of them will not contact 811 beforehand, which puts themselves, their neighbors and essential utility services at risk.

Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can lead to serious injuries, service outages and expensive repairs. Accidentally striking gas, electric, communications, water or sewer lines can cause significant disruptions to homes and businesses. A free 811 request is available online at tenn811.com or by calling 811. Your dig request ensures that underground utility lines are properly marked before digging, preventing accidents and keeping communities safe.

“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 the top reason that 46% of Americans don’t plan to notify utility companies before digging is that they believe their project is too shallow to merit an 811 request. That’s just not the case – you must contact 811 for every dig, every time.”

Even common do-it-yourself projects—such as planting a garden, installing a mailbox or setting up a fence—can pose risks, as many utilities are buried just inches below the surface.

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 free 811 request before digging is a simple step that can prevent dangerous and costly mistakes,” added Darren Hatter. “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.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/18/2025-6AM)

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