811 – Call Before You Dig!

Spring is here and homeowners everywhere are starting to do, or at least think about doing some yard work. But before you break out that shovel to do any digging, make a phone call to check for underground utility lines. It’s not just a good idea, it’s the law.

Trust me, you don't want to be the person who cuts the cable line to your neighborhood, or the one who breaks a sewer line behind your house, or the one finds something even worse with your shovel blade.  It is the start of the yard work season and you want to be safe.  You don't want to break any laws if you plan on doing any digging either.

According to the Poudre Valley REA,

“Colorado law requires underground utilities to be located before anyone digs. This applies to a home owner working around your own property or any contractor that may be working on your site. This call will initiate UNCC to contact Poudre Valley REA and other Tier I members about your plan to dig and inform you of any Tier II members, which you must call yourself and notify of you plans to dig.”

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, should start with an 811 call. Everything from Installing a mailbox, building a deck, or even planting a tree or garden could pose a danger involving buried utilities. Calling 811 will connect you to your local one-call utility notification center. According to Call811.com,

“Call 811 from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging, and your call will be routed to your local One Call Center. Tell the operator where you're planning to dig, what type of work you will be doing and your affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. In a few days, they'll send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes and cables, so you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.”