August 11, 8/11, serves as convenient reminder for Alabamians to always contact 811 before digging
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August 11, 8/11, serves as convenient reminder for Alabamians to always contact 811 before digging
Alabama 811 encourages people to make a free request to have underground facilities located at least two days before digging to avoid damaging buried utilities
Special to the News
August 11 is almost here, and the 8/11 date on the calendar is a natural reminder to contact 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.
National studies indicate that every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged somewhere in the U.S. because someone decided to dig without first contacting the local underground facility owners by using the 811 system.
When contacting Alabama 811, either by telephone or through our website – al811.com, homeowners and contractors are connected to the Alabama 811, which notifies the appropriate member utility companies of the intent to dig. A simple call to 811 can have a staff member assist you or locate requests can easily be processed online at www.al811.com.
Just click the “start locate request.” It is that simple! Once a request is made, professional locators will arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines using flags, spray paint, or both at your digging project.
Striking a single buried utility line can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages, and fines. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting Alabama 811.
Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree, and laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that need to use 811 before work begins.
“On August 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility line,” said Annette R. Bowman, executive director, Alabama 811. “Utilizing the 811 service is a quick and easy way to know which utilities are buried in your area so that you can dig safely.”
The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that’s previously been marked, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.
Help keep Alabama safe and connected! Visit al811.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.