Did you know more than 50 percent of outside natural gas leaks are caused by digging or construction that disturbs natural gas pipelines? Even minor damage, such as a nick, scrape, or dent in a pipeline or its coating, can weaken the pipeline and lead to a future leak. Since 2008, April has been designated National Safe Digging Month, and in an effort to reduce excavation damage, Atmos Energy joins the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to encourage homeowners, contractors, and any professional excavator to keep communities safe by calling 811 before any digging project.
“With the arrival of spring, warmer temperatures offer ideal conditions to revitalize your home landscaping or plant your first personal herb garden,” said Bobby Morgan, Atmos Energy Vice President of Public Affairs. “If your backyard beautification project requires heavy equipment or power tools, before grabbing the shovel, make sure all underground utility lines have been located and marked. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in disruptions to critical services, serious injuries, and costly repairs to underground utility lines.”
The ‘Call 811’ national service is free, safe, and required by law. Everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local notification center that will take the caller’s information and communicate it to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags, or both. Please visit 811beforeyoudig.com for complete information.
“Pipelines carry natural gas around the clock to more than 189 million Americans and 5.8 million businesses, yet we seldom notice these energy superhighways because they are underground,” said Morgan. “The partnership between utilities, excavators, and communities is crucial in maintaining safe, reliable natural gas service.”
Atmos Energy has been and will continue to be a champion for damage prevention. As part of National Safe Digging Month, Atmos Energy asks everyone to become a safety ambassador by taking the Atmos Energy Call 811 Pledge at atmosenergy.com/call811pledge. As a safety ambassador, you will pledge to share about the importance of calling 811 before a digging project, along with educating others about the value of knowing the location of underground utility lines. Together, we can promote natural gas safety!
As part of National Safe Digging Month, and in an effort to educate the public on safe digging practices and Atmos Energy’s ongoing efforts to keep communities safe, we are hosting several events across Mississippi:
Northern Mississippi:
- April 8 at 12 p.m. – Lunch at Busy Lad in Tupelo
- April 17 at 12 a.m. – Lunch at United Rentals in Columbus
Central Mississippi:
- April 19 at 10 a.m. – Event/Lunch at Home Depot in Jackson
- April 25 at 11 a.m. – Lunch at Equipment Share in Jackson
Additionally, Atmos Energy will support 811 at their booth during the Tupelo Garden and Home Show on April 11 and 12, helping to spread the message of safe digging and awareness to attendees throughout the weekend.