The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) will launch the national 811 "Call Before You Dig" number and website - www.call811.com - in May 2007. 811 is a new FCC-designated national N-11 number created to eliminate confusion of multiple "Call Before You Dig" numbers across the country. This quick and efficient one-call service will notify the appropriate utilities which then send locators to the requested site to mark underground lines for free.
The Utility Notification Center of Colorado in Golden, Colorado announced the launch of the new national 811 "Call Before You Dig" number in Colorado today followed by a rally on May 4, 2007 to help prevent homeowners and professional excavators from damaging underground utility lines while digging and, thus, avoid causing injury or service outages.
Risky assumptions about the location of underground utility lines, some of which can be buried at shallow depths, have led to thousands of line damages and multiple injuries per year. A recent national survey shows that confusion exists among the public as to the necessity of calling before every digging project. In the survey, roughly half of American homeowners stated that they had previously planned, or are planning a major digging project at home, yet only a third have called or intended to call ahead to get their underground utility lines marked.
For more statistics from the recent national survey or more information about the 811 services, art work, and campaign, visit www.call811.com.
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 1,400 individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA on the web at - www.commongroundalliance.com -.
