MERRILLVILLE – With April marking National Safe Digging Month and the start of many outdoor projects, NIPSCO urges residents and businesses to help protect the public from serious risk or injury by calling 811 two business days before starting any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.
In addition to the risk of serious injury, not calling 811 before beginning a digging project could also result in fines up to $10,000 or more and the cost to repair damages. It’s the law.
Once a call is made, a professional utility line locator will visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with paint or flags. After the site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging carefully around the marked areas. It is important to not disturb or move the markings or flags prior to digging.
NIPSCO and Indiana 811 offer the following recommendations for a busy digging season:
From homeowner to business, everyone is required to call 811 before digging. One call to 811 gets your utility lines marked free of charge. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you’ll be doing. Locating crews will arrive within two business days to mark all utility-owned underground lines, pipes and cables.
Visit NIPSCO.com/811 or Indiana811.org for more information about 811 and the call-before-you-dig process.
