August
11 is almost here, and Columbia Gas hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar
will serve as a natural reminder for residents to contact 811 prior to any
digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an
underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without
first contacting 811.
On August 11 and
throughout the year, Columbia Gas reminds homeowners and professional
contractors alike to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk
of striking an underground utility line. 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 previously marked location, the risk of
striking an underground utility line still exists.
When you contact 811 at least two full working days in advance,
your local utility companies mark the approximate location of any buried main
lines and service lines so that you don’t risk injuring yourself or disrupting
utility service to the neighborhood. It’s easy to make your free request by
calling 811 or going online to Kentucky811.org.
Striking
a single line can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages and fines.
Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811 by
phone or online. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and
laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that require a free
811 request at least two full working days before breaking ground.
Kentucky’s Dig Law requires a “positive
response” from utilities before work begins. Visit
Kentucky811.org
or ColumbiaGasKY.com/811
for more information about 811, Kentucky’s Dig Law and safe digging
practices.
