More than 40 percent of American homeowners who plan to plant a tree, landscape a yard, or install a fence or mailbox this spring likely will not make a required 811 call to have their underground utilities located before digging begins, according to a survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), a national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines.

Iowa law requires that any resident or professional excavator contact 811, or Iowa One Call, a minimum of two business days before digging to prevent serious injuries, service disruptions, and costly repairs that could occur when buried gas, electric, communications, water or sewer lines are damaged.

The CGA survey also found that nearly half of all Americans who plan to dig have no experience with the 811 process. Placing an 811 call or submitting information online to IowaOneCall.com notifies operators with underground utility facilities of the intent to dig, and utility companies will respond within two business days by marking underground utilities with color-coded paint marks or flags that tell an excavator where utility lines are located.

In support of National Safe Digging Month throughout April, IAMU joins Common Ground Iowa and Iowa One Call in reminding Iowans to be safe and help protect underground utility lines by following these steps in advance of any digging projects:

• Always call 811 at least 48 hours before digging, regardless of the project depth or familiarity with the property. Plan ahead by calling on Monday or Tuesday for weekend projects, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.
• Confirm that all lines have been marked before beginning a project and consider relocating any project that is close to utility line markings.
• If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has called 811. Don’t allow work to begin if utility lines aren’t marked.

Iowa’s One Call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more by visiting the Call 811 website for complete information.

Iowa One Call has set the meeting dates and locations for its 2019 Excavation Safety Awareness Program. Registration will open the end of November. When it does, IAMU will be sure to let you know through the Informer and our other communication channels.

Dates & Locations:

• January 8 - Johnston – Stoney Creek Inn, 5291 Stoney Creek Ct, Johnston, IA 50131
  
  
• January 10 - Ames – The Gateway Hotel – 2100 Green Hills Dr, Ames, IA 50014
  
  
• January 15 - Cedar Falls – Hilton Garden Inn – 7213 Nordic Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
  
  
• January 17 - Carroll – Carrollton Inn – 1730 US-71, Carroll, IA 51401
  
  
• January 22 - Fort Dodge – Starlite Village Inn – 1518 3rd Ave NW, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
  
  
• January 23 - Mason City – Music Man Square – 308 S Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, IA 50401
  
  
• January 29 - Council Bluffs – Grass Wagon – 110 S 29th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
  
  
• January 30 - Sioux City – Country Celebrations Event Center – 5606 Hamilton Blvd, Sioux City, IA 51108
  
  
• January 31 - Spencer – Clay County Regional Events Center – 800 W 18th St, Spencer, IA 51301
  
  
• February 5 - Creston – Supertel Inn & Convention Center – 800 Laurel St, Creston, IA 50801
  
  
• February 7 - Ottumwa – Bridge View Center – 102 Church St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
  
  
• February 14 - Cedar Rapids – Best Western Longbranch – 90 Twixt Town Road Northeast, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
  
  
• February 20 - Decorah – Hotel Winneshiek – 104 E Water St. Decorah, IA 52101
  
  
• February 21 - Dubuque – Grand River Center – 500 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001
  
  
• February 26 - Riverside – Riverside Hotel and Casino – 3184 Highway 22, Riverside, IA 52327
  
  
• February 27 - Bettendorf – Quad Cities Convention Center – 2021 State St, Bettendorf, IA 52722
  
  
• February 28 - Burlington – Pzazz Convention Center – 3001 Winegard Dr, Burlington, IA 52601