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ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Apr. 10, 2025) – If your spring to-do list includes projects that require digging – landscaping, adding a deck, digging a mailbox or similar work – make sure to call 811 before digging in and breaking ground. The simple, free call could save a life.

In recognition of Safe Digging Month, PPL Electric Utilities is reminding everyone to heed the state law that requires an 811 call at least three days before starting any digging project, large or small, using power equipment. The call, which should be made no matter the time of year, helps ensure that a locator will visit the planned dig site in advance to mark locations of underground utilities like power lines, water lines or other underground utilities.

Once the call is placed, a locator is sent to survey the area and mark it with spray paint and/or flags where underground utilities – power, water, sewer and gas lines and other utilities – are located. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can lead to serious injuries, service disruptions, fines and a need for costly repairs. 

Common Ground Alliance (CGA), an association committed to raising public awareness about excavation safety, says hundreds of thousands of dig-ins to underground utilities occur each year. Those dig-ins have potential to cut residents off from critical services or cause serious injuries.

Each year, thousands of PPL Electric Utilities customers experience power outages caused by underground power lines being contacted during digging projects.

When you make the free 811 call, you should be prepared with the following information:

• The county and municipality in which the planned dig is located.
• The street name and address.
• The nearest intersecting/cross street to the address.
• Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and the type of work being done.
• When the project is scheduled to take place.
• The name of the company doing the work (if applicable). Contractors must make their own 811 call.

And, if you see digging going on in your neighborhood and believe an 811 call may not have been placed (no paint or flags), make the call yourself to keep everyone safe and prevent damage to underground lines.

“Safety is at the core of everything we do at PPL Electric Utilities, so before any of our crews start work that involves digging, we make that important 811 call,” said Doug Haupt, manager-Public Safety for PPL Electric Utilities. “We encourage everyone to follow our lead and do the same. The last thing we want is for anyone to be injured. Remember: you must make that call at least three business days prior to the start of the digging.”

For more information about safe digging, visit pa1call.org. PPL Electric Utilities offers a wide range of safety resources for contractors (https://ppl.e-smartworkers.com), first responders (https://ppl.e-smartresponders.com/), children (https://ppl.e-smartkids.com/) and the general public. 

About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to about 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania. It regularly ranks among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. It is a part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies. Visit pplelectric.com or connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for energy efficiency tips, bill help information, guidance on shopping for an electricity supplier, storm updates and more.