811: Safe Digging

In honor of National 811 Day, Summit Utilities reminds homeowners and contractors to dig with C.A.R.E.

Whether you’re a professional homeowner, contractor, or DIYer, you have an important role in preventing damage to underground utilities. At Summit Utilities, safety is our #1 priority and we encourage you to follow these safe digging guidelines to dig with C.A.R.E:

• Call 811 Before You Dig: Before starting any outdoor digging project, please contact 811 at least three days in advance to request to have underground utility lines marked.
• Allow the Required Time for Marking the Utilities: After contacting 811, wait for underground utility lines to be marked before digging. Locators will mark the approximate location of buried lines with color-coded spray paint, flags or stakes corresponding to the utility. The color used for natural gas is yellow.
• Respect the Marks: Once the lines are marked, only use hand digging tools to carefully uncover the area around a utility line. This will help prevent any damage to underground utility lines.
• Excavate Carefully: Make sure the marks remain visible during the project. If the lines are damaged or removed, please contact 811 to have lines remarked. If a natural gas line is damaged accidentally or the distinct odor of natural gas (similar to rotten eggs) is present, call 911 from a safe location. Do not operate any machinery or any equipment that might cause a spark.

Remember to dig with C.A.R.E. to help keep underground utility infrastructure damage-free and communities, businesses, and the environment safe.

To request that underground utilities near your home or business be located before you dig:

For Arkansas residents, call 811 or visit www.arkansas811.com.

For Oklahoma residents, call 811 or visit www.www.okie811.orgg.

For Texarkana residents, call 811 or visit www.texas811.org.