Atmos Energy: Call 811 to Protect Underground Utilities in April

April is National Safe Digging Month

(ROCKWALL, TX — April 5, 2019) More than 50 percent of Atmos Energy’s hazardous leaks are caused by excavation damage to its natural gas distribution system. Accidental damage is the greatest risk to underground utilities and even minor damage, such as a scrape, dent, or crease in a pipeline or its coating, can weaken a pipeline and lead to a future leak.

In an effort to reduce excavation damage, Atmos Energy and Common Ground Alliance (CGA) urge contractors, landscapers, homeowners and the public to call 811 before any digging starts, as required by law.

“It is the law in Texas to call 811 before digging to have underground utility lines marked,” said John Paris, president of Atmos Energy’s Mid-Tex division. “Calling 811 helps prevent service outages, serious injuries and costly repairs and is critical to keeping the public and utility lines safe.”

Before any excavation or home improvement project like landscaping or planting trees and shrubs, call 811 at least three business days before you want to dig. Here’s how it works:

Call 811 – a representative will take information about your project and notify appropriate utility companies to mark buried lines so you can dig safely around
Utility lines will be located and marked with color-coded
Respect the flags by not digging close to
It’s free. It’s safe. And it’s required by law

Submitted press release by Atmos Energy.

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