Dominion Energy reminds Virginia and North Carolina customers to “Call Before You Dig” this spring

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spring is here, and residents across Virginia and North Carolina are excited to get outdoors, begin planting trees and shrubs, and gear up for those outdoor construction projects they’ve been planning all winter.

As part of National Safe Digging Month in April, Dominion Energy is reminding customers to call 811 – the “Call Before You Dig” hotline – to have underground utilities located and marked on your property before doing any excavation work. Customers may also use the Virginia 811 website at va811.com or the North Carolina website at nc811.org.

"Whether you're building a deck, putting up a new fence, or doing landscaping work, calling 811 is an important step to keep you and your community safe," said Sylvia White, Dominion Energy Virginia's Director of Distribution Operations. "It's free, it’s easy, and it could prevent a dangerous accident."

Virginia and North Carolina law requires anyone planning to do digging to have underground utility lines marked at least 3 business days before beginning the work. Even simple tasks like installing a mailbox, planting a tree, or building a deck require a call to the 811 hotline. If a contractor is doing work on your property, it’s good to confirm they’ve contacted 811 before work begins.

Without calling 811, homeowners and contractors run the risk of striking underground utilities, which can result in service disruptions, fines, property damage, or even serious injury or death. In some cases, utility lines may be buried at shallow depths, making them more vulnerable during routine digging.

An 811 representative will ask for information about your project and notify the appropriate utility companies. They will then come to your property and mark any underground utility lines, including power and gas lines, communication cables, and water lines.

For more information on safe digging practices visit dominionenergy.com/safety/call-before-you-dig.

About Dominion Energy

Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va., provides regulated electricity service to 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and regulated natural gas service to 500,000 customers in South Carolina. The company is one of the nation’s leading developers and operators of regulated offshore wind and solar power and the largest producer of carbon-free electricity in New England. The company’s mission is to provide the reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy that powers its customers every day. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.

News Category: Virginia & North Carolina