Phoenix, Ariz. –   811 is the national phone number for “Call Before You Dig” and is observed every year on August 11, a reminder for homeowners and professional excavators to call 811 before starting any digging project to have underground utility lines marked.  Contacting 811 is one of the most effective prevention measures to avoid damaging underground utilities, which can cause serious injuries, service outages, and even fatalities.  Striking a gas line may lead to explosions, while hitting electrical cables can cause fires.

“The Arizona Corporation Commission’s Office of Pipeline Safety (AZOPS) AZ811 Investigators are dedicating time to educate all stake holders to keep them safe and underground infrastructure from being interrupted,” said AZOPS Program Manager Eric Villa.  “AZOPS encourages everyone that plans to excavate to please call 811 OR click Arizona811.com at least two working days before digging - it’s free, it’s easy, and it’s the law.”

The U.S. Department of Transpiration’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) praised the ACC Safety Division in its 2024 evaluation for adequately enforcing state excavation damage prevention laws.  AZOPS crews inspect construction sites for damage prevention compliance, investigates reported damage, and issues citations when probable violations are identified. There was an 11% increase the number of AZ811 calls and tickets generated in 2024; AZOPS opened about 905,800 AZ811 tickets. Southwest Gas says the “Call-Before-You Dig program” has resulted in a 15% drop in underground utility damage.

After you contact 811, the local utility companies will mark the approximate location of any buried lines with paint or flags to prevent the risk of injury or service disruptions. It’s easy to make a free request by calling 811 or going online to http://www.arizona811.com.