Atlanta Gas Light urges customers to contact GA811 before starting any digging project this 8-1-1 Day

ATLANTA – August 11, 2023 – Summertime is here and for many homeowners, that means starting home improvement projects and digging in the dirt. Aug. 11 is National 8-1-1 Day, and Atlanta Gas Light reminds residents and professional excavators across the state that the date serves as an important cue to always contact GA811 before starting any outdoor digging project.

As per Georgia law, property owners and professionals’ excavators must make a call to 811 at least business days prior to commencing work. This call serves as a notification to the appropriate utility companies prompting professional locators to visit the site for free and mark the approximate locations of underground lines using flags, paint, or both. 

Contacting Georgia 811 prior to digging is the simplest way to prevent damage to buried utilities. However, according to a national survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding utility line, approximately 34.9 million Americans, accounting for 49 percent of those surveyed, take the risk of not contacting 811 before initiating home improvement projects, that involve digging.

To promote safe digging practices, Atlanta Gas Light encourages homeowners and contractors to adhere to the following guidelines, emphasizing the acronym CARE

1. Call or Click Before You Dig: Customers should contact 811 or visit Georgia 811 at least three days in advance to request the marking of underground utility lines before commencing any outdoor digging project. The service is provided free of charge.
2. Allow the Required Time for Marking: After notifying Georgia 811, it is crucial to wait for locators to mark the approximate positions of underground utility lines before digging (about three business days). The lines will be marked with color-coded spray paint, flags, or stakes corresponding to the respective utility. Natural gas lines are designated by the color yellow.
3. Respect the Marks: When digging near location markers, only utilize hand digging tools to ensure the integrity of the markings.
4. Excavate Carefully: Throughout the project, ensure that the marks remain visible. If the markings are damaged or removed, customers are advised to contact Georgia 811 to request remarking of the lines.

In the event of accidental damage to a natural gas line or if the distinct rotten-egg odor associated with natural gas is detected, individuals should immediately call 911 or the 24-hour emergency phone line of Atlanta Gas Light at 1-877-427-4321 from a safe location. It is essential to refrain from operating any machinery or equipment that could potentially cause a spark or create an open flame.

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