GRANTS PASS – The City of Grants Pass Public Works Department is gearing up for the National Safe Digging Month of April by reminding the public to call 811 before beginning any outdoor digging project.
April traditionally brings a ground swell of outdoor work which often includes digging, which is why the month of April is dedicated to safe digging awareness by public utilities, states, and local governments.
According to information from natural gas supplier, Avista, a great majority of damage to natural gas lines occurs when residents install landscaping, irrigation, and fences.
Before beginning any outdoor digging project, residents are encouraged to call 811 at least two business days before they dig. Calling 811 will get a professional locator to a site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines.
There is a two-foot tolerance zone on each side of the line, and it is required to hand dig to determine the precise location of the utility in this tolerance zone. This service is free.
Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before digging will help protect from injury, prevent damages to utilities and service disruptions, and avoid potential fines and repair costs.
Every digging job requires a call — even small projects like planting trees and shrubs. The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area.
Examples of when to call 811 include: installing a rural mailbox, putting in a fence, planting a tree or shrubbery, building a patio or deck, or excavating a new garden area.
For more information, call 811 or go to www.digsafelyoregon.com
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