Dig safe and contact 811
August 11 is National Safe Digging Day, or 811 Day, the perfect time to remind homeowners, contractors or anyone who digs of the importance of having utilities marked before starting any digging project 16 inches or deeper.
In the first quarter of 2023 alone, CoServ Gas responded to 38 hit lines. The majority of those were a failure to call 811 or a failure to wait the required 48 hours for the utilities to be marked.
“Most of these hit lines were easily preventable if they had called 811 before they dug and allowed the required 48 hours for the utilities to be marked,” said Rodney Hale, Director of Gas Operations. “When a gas line is hit, it usually starts leaking, which means the fire department shows up and, in some cases, roads are closed and homes and businesses evacuated.”
Next, CoServ Gas repair crews will arrive to shut off the gas and stop the leak. But it could potentially take hours to dig up the damaged pipe section and fuse a new one. During that time, gas service will be interrupted for at least one or more homes or businesses. “Not having natural gas for your home could mean you’re uncomfortable for a few hours, or if you’re a restaurant, you would have to temporarily close,” Rodney said.
As President of the Damage Prevention Council, Rodney said the cost of these hit pipelines can range from $500 to over $10,000.
5 STEPS FOR DIGGING SAFELY
- NOTIFY: Call Texas811
- WAIT: the required 48 hours (two business days)
- CONFIRM: all utilities notified have marked the area
- RESPECT: the marks
- DIG CAREFULLY: no mechanized equipment within the tolerance zone
Help Mr. Diggs safely find his home!
Mr. Diggs just moved into a new underground burrow, but he can’t remember how to get there! Help CoServ’s mascot safely dig a tunnel without hitting any of the buried utility lines so he can reach his new home.
Kids 10 and under enter for a chance to WIN a Prize!!
Ten lucky winners will receive a pair of Mr. Diggs Bluetooth headphones!
Ask your parents to take a picture of YOU with this completed page and email it by August 15, along with your name, age, address and phone number to [email protected]. We’ll announce the name of the winners on our Facebook page by August 18, 2023.
The winning names will be randomly selected. Parent or guardian must be a CoServ Electric Member. No purchase necessary. One entry per Member household. Winner’s photo may be published in CoServ’s social media, website and in future editions of Texas Co-op Power magazine.
