News Release > Know What’s Below – Call 811 Before Digging

Know What’s Below – Call 811 Before Digging

04/02/2020

NEW ORLEANS – With more people staying home over the next few weeks due to the COVID-19 response, homeowners will find themselves tackling more DIY projects than ever before. That could include digging for gardens, flower beds, transplanting shrubs and trees, and many other tasks. But along with added yardwork comes the possibility of coming across underground utility lines that your shovels can hit but your eyes can’t see. Since April is National Safe Digging Month, Entergy Louisiana is reminding you to call 811 before digging into your spring-cleaning list.

The focus of Safe Digging Month is on preventing serious consequences that could occur from digging without knowing what’s below the surface – not only now, but year-round. Regardless of what you plan to do, how deep you plan to dig or even if you’ve called before for a similar project, every job requires a call first.

“It’s just as important to locate underground utilities as it is to keep your distance from overhead power lines,” said Tad Patella, director of Entergy’s gas distribution business. “Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner or contractor, don’t chance it and assume there isn’t a utility line below. Avoid even close calls by dialing 811 before you dig – it’s the law.”

The depth of underground utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in one common area. The risk of striking underground utility lines exists even when digging only a few inches.

Louisiana has its own 811 call center that can help you stay safe while digging. Call center representatives can advise you on how to submit requests to learn what utilities may be buried beneath the ground, such as natural gas pipelines, electric power lines and other services.

After you make the call to 811, professional locators mark the approximate locations of underground lines at the requested digging site with flags, paint or both. Markings show the location of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences such as injury, service disruptions or costly fines and repair costs.

If you suspect utility damage of any kind, leave the area immediately and call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) or call 911. A gas leak could be occurring if you smell the distinctive natural gas odor, hear a hissing or whistling sound near a gas appliance or see dead vegetation or bubbles near a gas line.

For more information, visit Entergy Louisiana or Louisiana One Call.

Please note that due to the COVID-19 response and protocols, some 8-1-1 partners may be experiencing interruptions in resource availability. These interruptions may result in delays in providing field services. Please call 8-1-1 for the most up-to-date information for your location.

Entergy New Orleans, LLC is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana’s Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 200,000 customers and natural gas to more than 108,000 customers. Entergy New Orleans, LLC is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area. With operations in southern, central and northern Louisiana, the company is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation.

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