As Aug. 11 rolls around, marking National 811 Day, Atmos Energy is underlining the essential role residents and contractors play in preventing utility disruptions and ensuring safety before shovels hit the dirt. This annual reminder, highlighted in a recent communication from Atmos Energy, signals the need to contact 811 a few days before any digging project to pinpoint the whereabouts of hidden utilities.
Underground utilities, lurking unseen, pose a risk when unmarked; disruptions in services, serious injuries, potential hefty fines, and repair costs are just a dig away, but only if you skip the crucial step of calling 811, digging projects range from tree planting to fence building, constructing decks, or even installing a seemingly simple mailbox or an extensive project like a pool. The convenience and security that come with a simple and cost-free call or an online request can’t be overstated. With this guidance, you can prevent chaos before even thinking about breaking ground on weekend projects, says a report from an Atmos Energy communication shared with the City of Arlington's Office of Communication.
The process is straightforward: contact 811 at least three days in advance, and professional locators will make a house call, marking the labyrinth of utilities with flags, paint, or both. This simple act ensures digging starts on a safety-conscious note, keeping those underground networks of crucial services—gas, water, electricity, and communications—intact and functional, while your backyard transformations take shape.
Homeowners and contractors are called upon by Atmos Energy to exhibit due diligence; check all utility lines are marked, consider a project's proximity to these markers, and if working with a contractor, assert they’ve done their part in contacting 811, Atmos Energy strongly urges that work must not commence if the sites bear no markings—a cautionary measure that speaks to the gravity of potential consequences, including community safety and financial liabilities put forth in the Atmos Energy advisory.
