Just A Reminder, Pinole and Hercules: Call 811 Before You Dig

Anyone planning to dig at their property should remember to make a phone call to 811, or face the risk of striking a utility line that can result in injury, damage and outages, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.

As the CPUC marks National Safe Digging Month in April, the public is urged to make the phone call to 811 no matter how large or small the project is, whether people are installing a mailbox, setting up a fence, building a deck or laying a patio.

By making the phone call, people are connected with a local call center, which notifies their utility company of the digging project. In turn, the utility company will have its workers locate and mark with either flags or spray paint its facilities in the work area, according to the CPUC.

If a utility line is struck, it can lead to injuries to the digger and people in the surrounding area, CPUC officials said.

While utility lines can be marked, workers do not know its depth because erosion, other digging projects and uneven surfaces may change its location, according to the CPUC. More information can be found online at http://www.call811.com.

--Bay City News

--Photo via Morguefile