Industry Insight
Survey of homeowners shows large number of respondents don’t plan to contact 811 before starting an excavation project
A Common Ground Alliance (CGA) survey found millions of homeowners planning do-it-yourself digging projects will not contact 811, putting themselves and their communities at risk of utility service disruptions, costly fines and repairs, and even serious injury or death. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number anyone can use to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags.
“Spring weather brings more digging projects, for homeowners and professionals alike,” said CGA President and CEO Sarah K. Magruder Lyle. “To keep our communities connected to water, electricity, gas and communications lines, everyone needs to contact 811 a few days before beginning an excavation project — whether it’s gardening or major construction. Utility lines can be buried just inches below the surface. Everyone must contact 811 before every digging project.”
Censuswide, a global insight-driven research center, conducted the online survey of among 1,000 U.S. homeowners aged 21 and over, on behalf of CGA. Respondents cited the belief that “shallow” digging does not require contacting 811 and unfamiliarity with the 811 notification process as top reasons they do not plan to get utilities marked before breaking ground on DIY digging projects.
Overwhelmingly, however, homeowners value contractors calling 811 or submitting an online request to have the underground utilities on their property marked, with 95% citing this step as important. Nearly half (45%) of homeowners reported being affected by utility service interruption of three hours or longer over the past year, with the highest rate of interruptions occurring in the South.
Call or click
Everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local 811 call center that collects the information and communicates it to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark it. Once a site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging around the marked area. You can also contact 811 through its website: www.811beforeyoudig.com.
“With more than $1 trillion in new infrastructure breaking ground across America, contacting 811 before digging has never been more important,” said Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Before starting excavation work, homeowners, contractors and landscaping professionals should always remember to contact 811 — every dig, every time.”
