“Call Before You Dig” Transcript:
“Call before you dig!”
But why should you call before you dig?
- Ensure that you don’t unintentionally dig into an underground utility line when working on your next home improvement or landscape project
- Prevent damage to public water, sewage, power and natural gas lines when digging on any residential or commercial property
- Avoids risk of digging blind that can cause utilities to be cut off, severe injury, or expensive repairs.
Who are you supposed to call (before you dig)?
Public Utility Locating
8-1-1 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number
- A technician locates public utilities using electromagnetic equipment
BUT …calling 811 does not ensure that the area is clear and you’re free to proceed with the digging. One-call location crews only locate public utility lines.
Private Utility Locator
- Private utility locators will find and mark underground electrical lines, gas pipes, and more, on private, residential, commercial, and municipal land and are key when planning future buildings, not just when you dig.
- While public utility locating only works inside of a right-of-way, a private utility locator can cover the entire parcel, including the right-of-way One other thing to note.
- Perform a thorough investigation of the area using a range of specialized tools, including
- Electromagnetic equipment
- Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
- Electronic or radio frequency (RF) pipe and cable locating tools
A private utility locator is able to produce complete, high-quality utility maps of where current and abandoned lines run.
