811 is the Number to Call Before Starting a Digging Project

On National 811 Day, PSEG Long Island reminds customers that one free call is all it takes to have underground lines properly marked out

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Aug. 3, 2026)  Tuesday, Aug. 11 (8/11), is National 811 Day, and PSEG Long Island reminds anyone starting a project that involves digging to call 811 first to get a free mark out of underground utility lines. Hitting a buried electric, gas, water or cable line while digging can disrupt utility service, cost money to repair, and even cause severe injury or death. One free call to 811 will help prevent this.

The law requires a call to 811 for every digging project, even a small project like planting a tree or building a deck. The call is free and the mark-out service is free. The call must be made whether the job is being performed by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer. Striking an underground electrical line can cause serious injury and outages, and result in repair costs and fines.

“Calling 811 ahead of time is free, easy and essential, whether you’re a homeowner working on a small project or you’re hiring contractors for a big job. It helps protect underground utility lines and, more importantly, the safety of anyone digging. Last year there were more than 189,000 mark-out requests in our service area, and so far this year, there have been more than 93,000 requests to 811.”

-   Michael Sullivan, Vice President of Electric Operations, PSEG Long Island

According to Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association that includes companies in every facet of the underground utility industry, the United States sees about $30 billion in underground utility damages each year. And while some may not think their projects will dig deep enough to require a call to 811, the association says that shovels are the No. 2 cause of underground utility damage, right after backhoes.

A free call to 811 in the service area automatically connects the caller to the local New York one-call center, which collects information about digging projects. The one-call center then provides the information to the utility companies, which send representatives to mark the locations of nearby underground lines with flags, paint or both. Once lines have been properly marked and confirmation from all of the utility owners is received, projects may proceed as long as caution is used around the marked areas. 

Here’s important information to consider:

• Underground gas and electric lines are everywhere, even on private properties. These facilities can be easily damaged if dug into, with the potential to cause serious injuries. Digging into these lines can also disrupt vital utility services, resulting in costly delays, expensive repairs and environmental or property damage. 
• Whether the job is a major home improvement project or something as simple as a fence or mailbox post, a call to 811 must be placed beforehand to determine where it’s safe to dig.
• Call 811 at least two business days before the commencement of each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Each facility owner must respond by providing the excavator with a positive confirmation indicating that marks are in place where utility lines are buried or that there are no existing facilities in the area of the proposed work. This service is free of charge.
• Be sure to wait until all of the utilities have responded. Don’t dig until lines have been marked or you have received confirmation that the area is clear of facilities.
• Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within 2 feet of marked lines to find the existing facilities before using mechanized equipment. 
• If gas lines are damaged or there is a gas smell when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area. 

Calling before you dig is more than a good idea − it’s the law. Additional information, including a booklet on safe excavating practices and the protection of underground facilities, can be found on the PSEG Long Island website.

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PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract.  PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.