Call 811: Monday is National Safe Digging Day
Observer Reports
With National Safe Digging Day approaching on August 11, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are renewing their call for customers and contractors to dial 811 before undertaking any project that involves digging. The appeal follows a year in which the companies have reported thousands of incidents of damage to underground utility lines.
The 811 service, a nationwide toll-free number, connects callers to a local center that dispatches crews to mark underground utility lines, including those for natural gas, electricity, water, and telecommunications. The service is a key component of a safe digging initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Officials recommend making the call at least three business days before any excavation project begins.
According to data released by the companies, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas reported more than 5,000 instances of damage to their underground electric and natural gas lines across their service territories from January to June of this year. More than 1,450 of those incidents involved natural gas facilities in states including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ohio, while approximately 3,600 damages were to the electric network. The companies reported a total of more than 8,870 such damages in 2024.
“Whether you’re finishing a summer yard project or starting something new this fall, call 811 before you dig,” said Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business. "Damaging a utility line can be dangerous and costly, but it's easily prevented by this simple step. Safety and reliability start with contacting 811."
