Despite the need to know where underground utilities and other items may be when people plan digging projects, there are still some notable misconceptions about the process.
Kansas Gas Manager of Public Relations Dawn Tripp says about 14 percent of damage incidents due to digging projects did not have a call to 811 before those projects got underway. She says it’s an easy process to call 811 or go online to Kansas811.com, but she also says it’s important to give advance notice when you call.
This comes with National 811 Day on Sunday.
During Thursday’s interview on KVOE’s Morning Show, Tripp encouraged residents using contractors to make sure those external partners contact 811 before they dig. There is also a 24-inch “tolerance zone” within either side of an underground line or facility, so people should dig by hand or use so-called soft digging methods with air or water pressure to avoid any damage.
Tripp says calls or online notices are needed even if people have dug in the same area for a previous project. Tripp also urged rural residents to use the 811 service because there could be something unexpected buried at the site.
Residents smelling gas during their digging project should immediately make three calls — one to 911 for emergency help, one to 811 and one to Kansas Gas at 888-482-4950.
