Before you dig, dial 8-1-1

Nearly two in five United States homeowners will put themselves and their communities at risk this year. How? By neglecting to call 811 before they dig, according to Common Ground Alliance. 

That is why August 11 is recognized annually as “811 Day,” an important reminder to dial 8-1-1 before any digging, construction, or excavation project – no matter how big or small. Due to the depth of natural gas pipelines and varying locations due to environmental factors like erosion, underground utility lines can be hard to locate. However, this simple act of prevention allows you to do your part to keep your community safe. 

As August 11 approaches, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) encourages its customers in Apopka, Clermont, and Winter Garden to learn more about 811 and the importance of knowing what’s below.   

What is 811?

811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. Each state has its own call center to support local digging projects. In Florida, our local call center is Sunshine 811. If you plan to dig, contact Sunshine 811 at least two business days before your intended start date by dialing 8-1-1 or submitting your request online at www.sushine811.com.

When you submit your intent to dig, be prepared to share:

• The street address where you plan to dig, including county 
• The nearest cross street 
• The type of project you are completing 
• The exact area on the property where you plan to dig

How Does it Work? 

After you submit your intent to dig with an 811 service member, Sunshine 811 notifies your local utility company and sends a professional locator to the area you plan to dig, free of charge. Upon arrival, the locator will mark the location of underground utility lines with flags, spray paint, or both. Once all buried utility lines have been marked, you can begin to dig carefully around the area. 

Why Does it Matter? 

Striking a single utility line can result in injury, significant repair costs, inconvenient outages, and, in some areas, even fines. Whether as simple as planting a tree or as extravagant as building a brand-new pool, every digging project should begin with contacting 811 by phone or web.  

How LANGD Can Help

To advocate for safe digging throughout the District’s member cities and across the state year-round, LANGD’s Administrator of Regulatory and Safety Compliance, Terrill Booker, serves as an officer on the Sunshine 811 Board. If you have questions about 811, LANGD is here for you. For more information and resources about calling 811 in Florida, contact a member of the LANGD service dispatch at (407) 656-2734 x 704, custsvc@langd.org, or visit www.langd.org.

Interested in learning more about natural gas? For more information on natural gas service for your home, business or vehicle, please contact the District marketing team at (407) 656-2734 x307, marketing@langd.org, or visit www.langd.org. Please be sure to like, follow, and re-share LANGD’s content on Facebook at @LANGDFL.