Media Contact: Ron Law, 208-334-0330, ronlaw@clearwire.net
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Idaho utilities remind local
residents to call 811 before all digging projects
Boise, ID (March 22, 2012) — Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has issued a proclamation announcing April as Idaho Safe Digging Month.
The proclamation reminds Idaho homeowners
to call 811 before starting any
outdoor digging projects.
April marks the
start of spring digging season. Utility companies, the Public Utilities
Commission and Gov. Otter are encouraging
homeowners to call 811 before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and
inconvenient outages. Digging damages a
utility line once every three minutes nationwide. One-third of these incidents are caused by
the failure to call 811 before beginning a digging project.
When calling 811, homeowners are connected to Password (Benewah, Bonner,
Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties) or Digline (all other counties),
which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig.
Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the
approximate locations of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once
lines have been accurately marked, digging can begin around marked lines. The
call is toll-free and the locating is done at no charge to the homeowner.
“We join the governor in strongly encouraging individuals and companies
to call 811 before they begin digging,” said Ron Law, of the Idaho Damage
Prevention Coalition. “By having underground lines marked, homeowners are
making an important decision that can help keep them and their communities safe
and connected.”
“It’s a free call and it’s a free service for excavators that can
certainly prevent major problems for the homeowner and others,” said Paul
Kjellander, president of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and
inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small,
necessitates a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, putting in a fence, building
a deck and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects that need a call
to 811 before starting.
Visit www.call811.com for more information about
811 and the call-before-you-dig process.
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