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Black Hills Energy 811 Day A Reminder To Call Before Digging

By Tom Stanton Aug 10, 2021 | 2:15 PM

August 11 is almost here and Black Hills Energy is using the date to remind Nebraskans to call 811 at least two business days prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.

When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to Nebraska811, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, or planting a tree are examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting. Requests can also be made online at www.ne1call.com at no cost to you.

Professional utility locators will arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with flags, spray paint or both.  Every nine minutes, an underground utility line is damaged in America because of digging without first contacting 811.

Striking a single line can result in injury, repair costs or fines, and outages. For every digging project, no matter how large or small, call or click 811.  “Our most important responsibility is the safety of our customers, employees and the communities we serve, and that includes safe digging any time of year,” says Kevin Jarosz, vice president of operations in Nebraska.  “On August 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility line. As we continue to rely on important utilities to keep us connected and safe, contacting Nebraska811 is really the only way to know which utilities are buried in your area so that you can dig safely.”

Black Hills Energy reminds you:

1.       Call or Click Before You Dig. Always “Call or Click Before You Dig” at least two working days in advance to have utility lines marked.  You can call 811 toll-free, or schedule online at www.ne1call.comAt no charge to you, utility locators will respond within two business days to mark the approximate location of buried utility lines at your site with color-coded paint or flags.

2.       Mark Your Planned Excavation Site. Using white spray paint, stakes, or flags mark the area around your planned excavation site before you call. “White-lining” helps the utility locator understand your plan and reduces the chance for project delays if the utility locator must return to locate additional areas.

3.       Respect the Marks. Always dig with care and use a shovel within 18 to 24 inches of any utility lines as opposed to using heavy equipment. Just a nick can create a weak spot that may develop into a gas leak, cause an electrical or internet outage or result in injury.

4.       Don’t Rely on Old Line Locate Marks. If you don’t dig within 10 days of having utility lines marked, contact Nebraska811: www.ne1call.com . At no charge, utility locators will gladly return to re-mark the lines as quickly as possible. Never rely on outdated information.