From the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
In Summary:
Homeowners, contractors, and other excavators should contact 811 before beginning any project that disturbs the soil. In Florida, locate requests should be submitted at least two full business days before digging so utility companies can mark or clear the work area. Lake Apopka Natural Gas District says following the process protects workers, property owners and essential community services.
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Every August 11, communities across the country pause to talk about something most of us never think about: what’s buried under our feet. This day is known as 811 Day, and it exists for one simple reason—a single free phone call can prevent injuries, outages, and thousands of dollars in damage.
Related: Lake Apopka Natural Gas District earns national gold-level operational excellence award.
At Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, we see the aftermath of skipped calls more often than we’d like. So this year’s 811 Day, we’re breaking down what the observance means, why it matters, and how you can make sure your next digging project starts the right way.
What Is 811 Day?
811 Day falls on August 11 (8/11) every year, a date chosen to match the number itself. It’s a national awareness initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), alongside partners like the Common Ground Alliance, to remind homeowners and professionals alike that calling 811 before any excavation project is the single most effective way to prevent utility damage.
The date is symbolic, but the message runs all year: excavation damage remains one of the leading causes of pipeline incidents nationwide, and nearly all of it is preventable with one phone call.
Why Calling 811 Matters
It’s easy to assume a small project, such as a new fence post, a mailbox, or a row of shrubs, isn’t “real” digging. But underground utility lines, including natural gas lines, often sit just a few inches below the surface. A single nicked line can mean a gas leak, a neighborhood-wide outage, a serious injury, or worse.
Calling 811 connects you with your local one-call center, which notifies every utility company with buried lines near your project (gas, electric, water, communications, etc.), so they can mark their lines before you break ground. It’s one call that covers everything below.
When You Should Contact 811
Contact 811 before any project that disturbs the ground, no matter how minor it seems. That includes:
- Installing a fence, deck, or mailbox
- Planting trees or shrubs
- Building a pool or patio
- Installing irrigation or landscape lighting
- Larger construction or excavation work
Dial 811 or visit Sunshine811.com, at least two full business days before you plan to dig, so utility crews have time to locate and mark their lines.
Who Should Contact 811
The 811 call center isn’t just for contractors. Anyone planning to disturb the soil can and should call—homeowners doing weekend yard work, landscapers, fence installers, pool companies, and excavation crews alike. If you’re the one holding the shovel, the auger, or the trencher, the call is on you, regardless of whether the project is professional or personal.
A Notice to Professional Excavators
Professional excavators carry an added layer of responsibility. Beyond the general safety case for calling 811, most states, including Florida, legally require excavators to notify 811 before digging on any job site. Failing to do so can result in fines, liability for damages, and project delays if utility lines are struck.
Excavators should also know that a completed locate ticket doesn’t excuse careless digging near marked lines. Crews are expected to hand-dig or use other non-invasive methods within the tolerance zone around any marked utility and to reach out again if the ticket expires before work is complete. These safe digging practices help protect both crews and the surrounding community.
How the 811 Process Works
For a quick overview of safe digging, you’ll want to take the following steps:
- Plan Your Project: Gather the information needed for your locate request.
- Contact Sunshine 811: Submit a free locate request online or call 811 at least two full business days before digging.
- Wait: Allow utility companies two full business days to locate and mark underground utility lines.
- Confirm: Verify that all utility companies have responded and marked or cleared your work area.
- Dig Safely: Respect the markings and use extra caution near underground utilities.
Does Calling 811 Cost Anything?
There’s no cost to request a locate through 811. The service is funded by the utility companies themselves, not the person requesting the marking. Furthermore, in Florida, as in most states, it’s not just a best practice—it’s the law. Excavators are legally required to notify the local call center before starting work, and homeowners are strongly encouraged to do the same to protect their property and their neighbors’ utility service.
Given that damage from a missed call can average thousands of dollars in repairs, a free two-minute call is one of the easiest ways to protect your budget, along with your safety.
When Is the Best Time to Call 811 When Planning a Project?
The two-business-day waiting period is the part most people forget, and it’s the part that matters most. If you’re planning a project for a specific weekend, put the 811 call on your calendar well in advance. This is especially true during busy seasons like spring and early summer, when landscaping and construction projects spike and 811 call centers see higher ticket volumes.
Building the call into your project timeline from day one means you’re never tempted to skip it under time pressure.
Lake Apopka Natural Gas District Is Here to Help
811 Day is a reminder, but the habit should last all year. Whether you’re planting a garden or breaking ground on a new addition, one free call protects your family, your neighbors, and the natural gas service your community relies on.
Have questions or want to know more about how LANGD keeps your community’s gas service safe?
Get in touch. We’re happy to help! Contact us at 407-656-2734 or visit www.langd.org.
Key Points:
- National 811 Day is observed on August 11 to promote safe digging practices.
- Sunshine 811 provides free underground utility locate requests in Florida.
- Requests should be submitted at least two full business days before excavation begins.
- Projects requiring a request include installing fences, planting trees, building patios and completing other work that disturbs the ground.
- Excavators should confirm utility responses, respect all markings and use extra caution near marked lines.
