By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Utility Hosting Safe Digging Webinar For Homeowners, Contractors
pg&e

With many Californians taking advantage of warmer weather months to start projects that involve digging, PG&E will host a free 811 safe digging webinar for homeowners and contractors. The webinar session will provide an overview of the 811 process and guidance for digging safely once underground utilities have been marked. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions of PG&E 811 Damage Prevention experts in the session.

The 811 Safe Digging Public Webinar is Scheduled for Saturday, May 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

PG&E Damage Prevention specialists will lead the session. Visit PGE.com/811 for a link to the webinar.

Throughout the pandemic, many homeowners are using their extra time at home to complete projects that require digging, according to a recent national survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA). In fact, the survey shows that one in five homeowners (20 percent) have been more likely to do a home improvement involving digging since the pandemic began – particularly gardening projects, and 56 percent of homeowners who are planning to plant a tree or shrub this year said they were more likely to dig while having extra time at home. The most popular planned projects cited among surveyed homeowners who plan to dig include: planting a tree or shrub, 62 percent; building a fence, 37 percent; building a deck or patio, 32 percent; installing a mailbox, 20 percent; installing a pool, six percent; something else, 26 percent.

Additionally, of the millions of homeowners who plan to dig this year for projects like gardening, building a fence or deck, installing a mailbox and more, nearly two in five (37 percent) will put themselves and their communities at risk by digging without contacting 811 beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utilities.

Customers should call 811 three days before starting a digging project, no matter how large or small, to have the location of underground utility lines marked. 811 is a free service, and calling 811 will help customers keep their families and neighbors safe and connected to essential utility services, and to avoid potentially costly repairs.