Entergy Texas urges customers to call 811 before digging

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Whether you are planning to install a new pool or do something as simple as planting a tree, it’s essential to keep safety top of mind and call 811 before

you dig. Digging without knowing what’s beneath the surface can cause serious harm, which is why Entergy Texas is reminding homeowners and professional contractors to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility
or gas line.

“While we encourage safe digging all year round, August 11th (8/11) serves as a timely reminder to people who excavate or dig to call 811 at least two full business days before digging to have the approximate location of their utility lines marked,” said Melanie Taylor, vice president of reliability at Entergy Texas. “Calling 811 helps prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient utility outages.”

The risk of striking underground utility lines exists even when digging only a few inches. The depth of underground utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in one common area. So regardless of what you plan to do, how deep you plan to dig or even if you’ve called before for a similar project, every job requires a call first.

Texas has its own 811 call center that can help you stay safe while digging. Call center representatives can advise you on how to submit requests to learn what utilities may be buried beneath the ground, such as natural gas pipelines, electric power lines and other services.

After you make the call to 811, professional locators mark the approximate locations of underground lines at the requested digging site with flags, paint or both. Markings show the location of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences such as injury, service disruptions or costly fines and repair costs.

If you suspect utility damage of any kind, leave the area immediately and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) or call 911. A gas leak could be occurring if you smell the distinctive natural gas odor, hear a hissing or whistling sound near a gas appliance or see dead vegetation or bubbles near a gas line.

For more information, visit Texas 811.