It’s National 811 Day! Southwest Gas Urges Public to ‘Contact 811 Before You Dig’
Category: Corporate
August 7, 2023
It’s National 811 Day! Southwest Gas Urges Public to ‘Contact 811 Before You Dig’
National campaign promotes safety on dig projects from contractors to do-it-yourselfers
LAS VEGAS, NV – Whether planting a tree, installing new irrigation, or starting a new home improvement project, awareness of where you are digging is vital to your safety and those around you. The number one cause of damage to underground utility lines is failure to contact 811 before a digging project. In 2022, Southwest Gas saw a 30-percent increase in damages Companywide due to a failure to contact 811 prior to excavating. National 811 Day is recognized on August 11 each year to remind the public of the importance of contacting 811 before you dig.
“811” is a free service for digging jobs of all sizes. Whether you are a contractor or a do-it-yourselfer, one easy, free call or click to 811 (https://call811.com/) allows utility companies to mark the approximate location of underground utilities so you can avoid damaging them. Contacting 811 two full working days before beginning any digging project is critical to preventing accidents, avoiding expensive repairs, causing service outages, and impacting the environment.
“Many people make the mistake of thinking that utility lines are so deep in the ground that their small landscape or home project wouldn’t require a call,” says Lynsay Demko, Damage Prevention Administrator at Southwest Gas. “Regardless of the depth of your dig project, the safe and responsible thing to do is to contact 811. Sometimes, utility lines including gas, electric, water and sewer, can be shallow and well within the depth of a home DIY dig project. Utility lines can be buried anywhere, always remember to contact 811 before you dig!”
Southwest Gas is committed to ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of energy to our customers and the communities we serve. The Company’s damage prevention and public awareness programs are among several tools used to maintain a safe reliable system, enhance public safety, mitigate the risk of unintentional emissions, and avoid interruptions to essential services. In addition, Southwest Gas offers free training for excavators, plumbers, landscapers, homeowners, and anyone planning to conduct underground work. These efforts also support the Company’s commitment to a sustainable energy future, protecting people and the environment.
Southwest Gas would like to remind anyone who thinks they may have damaged an underground pipeline or suspects a natural gas leak, even if they are not a natural gas customer, to leave the area immediately and call 911 and Southwest Gas at
877-860-6020
. A natural gas leak can be detected by a distinct sulfur-like odor, similar to rotten eggs, even if it is faint or momentary; an unusual hissing or roaring sound coming from the ground or appliance; or bubbling water and discolored plants or grass surrounding a pipeline.
For more information about 811 and safe digging practices and natural gas safety, visit swgas.com/safety.
About Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of our over two million customers throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada by providing safe and reliable service while innovating sustainable energy solutions to fuel our communities’ growth. For more information about how Southwest Gas is supporting a sustainable energy future, please visit swgas.com/sustainability.
