Sunday, August 11, is 811 Day, and Pepco wants to remind customers to not only be safe, but also prepared before starting outdoor projects. That’s why we are reminding customers to call 811 before doing any digging outside.

We’re joining Miss Utility, the District of Columbia and Maryland’s one-call notification center, to remind residents, businesses and contractors that safe digging must remain a priority to prevent damage to critical underground energy services and most importantly, to prevent injuries or loss of life.

We have more than 7,350 miles of underground electric lines across our service area. Besides Pepco equipment, there are numerous water and sewer lines, communication cables and other utility equipment. When calling 811, you are connected to Miss Utility that will take your 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.

Not knowing what’s below can be dangerous. Striking an electric or utility line can lead to serious injuries, unwanted disruptions and added costs for fines and repairs. In 2023, Pepco responded to 108 incidents related to equipment damage caused by unsafe digging practices. So far, in 2024 Pepco has responded to 66 underground incidents. That’s why anyone planning to take on a commercial or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project that involves digging, no matter the size, must call 811.

That’s why anyone planning to take on a commercial or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project that involves digging, no matter the size, must call 811. To avoid injury and disruptions, remember these six tips before starting any project:

• Call 811 at least three days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.
• Have a plan. Call on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.
• Confirm that all lines have been marked.
• Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.
• If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has called 811. Do not allow work to begin if the lines are not marked.
• Visit call811.com for more information.

To learn more about safe digging practices visit pepco.com/Safety or call 800-642-3780.