811 Day, August 11, Serves as an Important Reminder to Always Call 811

Colonial Pipeline urges all to call 811 before digging to know what’s below 

ALPHARETTA, GA. (August 11, 2020) – Colonial Pipeline is encouraging residents, contractors, municipalities and all to use Tuesday, August 11 – National 811 Day – as a reminder to Call 811 Before you Dig. Every few minutes a pipeline or underground utility line is damaged and lives, property and livelihoods are put at risk because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.

“Calling 811 before digging projects is one way we can all work together to protect what matters most – the safety of people and protection of the environment,” said Angie Kolar, Vice President of Operations Services and Chief Risk Officer for Colonial Pipeline. ​“At Colonial Pipeline, we believe in keeping safety top of mind at every moment and taking every step possible – including calling 811 – to ensure our employees, contractors, communities, and all of us stay safe.” 

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 that need a call to 811 before starting. The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked prior to each digging project. Even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that has previously been marked, the risk of striking a pipeline or underground utility line still exists.

When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to the state one call center, which notifies the appropriate pipeline and utility companies of their intent to dig. Within 2 – 3 business days (depending on state law), professional locators are sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both. After the call, it’s important to wait until the lines have been marked. The markings can then be used to guide safe excavation. 

Visit www.call811.com or www.colpipe.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices. 

About Colonial Pipeline: Colonial Pipeline Company, founded in 1962, connects refineries ­– primarily located in the Gulf Coast ­– with customers and markets throughout the Southern and Eastern United States through a pipeline system that spans more than 5,500 miles. The company delivers refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, and fuel for the U.S. Military. Colonial is committed to safety and environmental stewardship across its operations. More information about Colonial is available at www.colpipe.com.

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Colonial Media Contact:
Kesley Tweed
[email protected]