WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – August 11th – or National 811 Day – is an annual reminder to the public to call before they dig.

Zach Vavricka, spokesman for Piedmont Natural Gas, says the process is simple.

“This is the easiest way to dig safely. It only takes a few minutes on the phone. It only takes a few days to mark the lines and then you don’t have to worry about it anymore,” Vavricka said.

All you have to do is call 8-1-1 three days before the project begins and a utility company will come to your yard to mark underground lines.

Vavricka says if you don’t call before you start digging, there could be several consequences.

“You could end up having to pay for some of the repair costs and possibly be injured in the process,” Vavricka said.

This could affect not only you but also your neighbors.

“You are taking a risk because you could hit and damage a natural gas line, a water line or a power line,” Vavricka said.

That happens a lot, says Vavricka. In the first six months of 2024, more than 2,000 gas and power lines were damaged by people who didn’t call before grabbing a shovel.

“I know you want to get it done quickly. You want to work efficiently, but you have to keep safety in mind as much as possible,” Vavricka said.

As a reminder, the service is completely free.

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