New York 811 reminds the public and contractors that it is important to “know what’s below” the ground before digging and excavating.
Every year on Auh/ 11, “National 811 Day,” New York 811 highlights actions and rules that will keep construction workers, contractors, residents and the public safe anytime digging or excavation is done on public as well as private property.
Each year across New York City and Long Island, tens of thousands of construction projects and repairs require digging and excavation. The potential for minor, as well as severe life-threatening accidents around digging sites, is real.
In the United States, the cost to repair these damages has reached $30 billion annually.
Because of the dangers, contractors, builders, property owners and homeowners need to call 811 to provide information so that digging locations can be properly marked to ensure that the locations of all utility lines, including electric, gas, water, sewer and communications lines are known. When lines are marked, digging with excavation equipment or by hand can be done safely.
“Keeping contractors, utility workers, homeowners and the public safe is our mission. Utility lines are struck every day in the United States. When they are damaged, this leads to power outages, loss of gas, water service or telecommunications and internet outages that could last days or weeks. National 811 Day serves as our public educational and awareness day across Long Island and New York City,” said Roger Sampson, executive director of New York 811.
All contractors using power equipment follow state law and call 8-1-1 before starting an excavation project, whether it is large or small. This includes general digging for gardening, landscaping, pool installations, any and all construction projects, demolitions and excavations.
When contacting New York 811, callers are automatically connected to a call center where they will share information about their upcoming project. New York 811 then contacts the utility companies who will mark the ground with paint and/or flags to identify underground utility lines. The following colors indicate what lines lie beneath the surface in your area:
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Red: Electric utilities such as power lines (Most common color)
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Yellow: Natural Gas, Petroleum and Steam
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Orange: Communication lines including telephone, internet and TV lines
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Blue: Water and Irrigation
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Purple: Non-Potable Water
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Green: Drains and Sewers
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White: Planned Excavation
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Pink: Temporary Markings
New York 811, Inc., is a non-profit organization that acts as the communications link between utility companies and contractors, individuals, private excavation companies and other utilities that are planning any digging activity in the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island.
New York 811 provides services and programs that play a critical role in protecting one of the largest populated, congested and complicated underground infrastructures in the nation.
For further information about National 811 Day, New York 811 or other questions you may have about digging, please visit, https://newyork-811.com/.
