NiSource recognizes 811 Day, urging all communities to practice safe digging throughout the year

This week, NiSource and our Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands recognize 811 Day. On August 11th (8/11) and throughout the year, NiSource reminds homeowners and professional contractors alike to use the 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility line.

Contacting 811 at least two full business days in advance allows your local utility companies to mark the approximate location of any buried main lines and service lines so that you don't risk injuring yourself or disrupting utility service to your community.

Utility line depths can vary for several reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects, and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists even when digging only a few inches or in a previously marked location.

At NiSource, we deliver natural gas, a safe and reliable form of energy, through our approximately 55,000 miles of distribution main pipeline and 1,000 miles of transmission main pipeline to our six-state service areas under our Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Every digging project, whether large or small, warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree, and laying a patio are some examples of digging projects requiring a free 811 request before grabbing your shovel or pickaxe.

All community members, whether NiSource customers or not, need to know their surroundings and contact 811 before starting any digging project. NiSource takes the responsibility of providing the reliable natural gas and electric service our customers and communities depend on with great seriousness and pride. Above all else, safety is the most fundamental requirement, ensuring that the product we deliver, the people who maintain the system, and the customers we serve are central to our safety mission.