This is the season for planting and tackling those outdoor projects. Before you put the elbow grease behind that shovel, LCEC encourages you to call 811. It is a free service for locating all underground utilities. Whether it’s a small project like planting a tree or garden or a major construction project, one easy call to 811 starts the process of getting the location of underground utility lines marked, so you will know where it’s safe to excavate.
It is not uncommon for individuals or construction workers to contact underground utility lines while excavating. The risk of injuring themselves, damaging equipment, causing power outages or impacting the environmental is very serious. The public should never assume they know where underground utilities are located. The free call to 811 should be made at least two full business days before beginning a project. This alerts all service providers with underground lines in the vicinity of the planned excavation and they are dispatched to mark the approximate location and type of underground utilities with paint and/or flags. The process is free, easy and required by law.
Customers should also know that utility lines run beneath canals and waterways throughout Florida. Posted warning signs regarding submarine cables should always be strictly adhered to. A call to 811 will ensure utilities are located in the water for excavation work on docks, seawalls and bridges.
For more information about 811 visit www.call811.com