Atlantic City Electric Reminds Customers to Call 8-1-1 Before Digging

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic City Electric reminds its customers and all contractors to call 811 to have utility-owned underground lines marked before digging. Nationwide, every six minutes someone damages an underground utility line because of digging without first calling 811, according to the Common Ground Alliance, the national association that promotes the 811 phone number and safe digging practices.
Striking an underground electric or natural gas line can cause serious injury, damages and service interruptions. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects where a call to 811 should be one of the first steps.
“The underground utility locating service is free, and simply calling 811 will bring someone to your home or business to mark all underground utilities so you will be able to dig safely,” said Vince Maione, Atlantic City Electric region president. “Calling 811 before digging will help you avoid fines and more importantly, knowing where it’s safe to dig will help prevent an accident.”
One free call to 811 connects you to New Jersey One Call, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the locations of underground lines with flags, stakes and/or spray paint. Residents and contractors should call 811 at least three days in advance of starting a project.
Once lines are located, customers and contractors doing work also must understand the markings and look for evidence of unmarked lines, such as water and sewer lines on private property. Sewer clean-outs and water valve covers are examples of equipment that can indicate the presence of underground lines.
Atlantic City Electric joins the Exelon family of utilities in recognizing National Call Before You Dig Day and is a member of the Common Ground Alliance to share best practices to promote safe excavation and decrease instances of damage to underground lines.
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