Baldwin County Communities to Glow Green for 811 Week to Promote Safe Digging

Utilities and municipalities across Baldwin County will “glow green” this month to spread the word about digging safely, as the county joins a statewide campaign called Glow Green for 811 Week, scheduled for Aug. 10-14.

The campaign coincides with 811 Day on Aug. 11, an annual reminder for homeowners, contractors, builders and do-it-yourselfers to request underground utility line locations before starting any excavation project. Organizers said the simple step of calling 811 can help prevent damage to buried utilities, avoid costly repairs and protect families and communities.

Participating in the countywide awareness campaign are Riviera Utilities, the city of Foley, the city of Fairhope, Fairhope Utilities, Daphne Utilities, the city of Daphne, the city of Spanish Fort, the town of Magnolia Springs, Baldwin EMC, Gulf Shores Utilities, North Baldwin Utilities and the city of Bay Minette.

Throughout the week, residents are encouraged to watch for city buildings and local landmarks illuminated in green as a visual reminder of the importance of safe digging practices. Officials said a quick call to Alabama 811, followed by a visit from a utility line locator, can save time and money while helping keep families safe.

Know the Color Codes

Residents are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the color-coded markings utility locators use to identify buried lines before any digging begins:

• Red — Electric power lines
• Yellow — Gas, oil, steam
• Orange — Communications
• White — Proposed excavation
• Blue — Potable water
• Green — Sewer and drain lines
• Purple — Reclaimed water
• Pink — Temporary survey markings

Alabama law requires anyone planning to dig — whether installing a mailbox post, planting a tree or beginning a major construction project — to contact Alabama 811 at least two full business days before breaking ground. The nonprofit, part of a national network of one-call centers, notifies affected utility companies, which then send crews to mark the approximate location of buried gas, water, electric and communications lines free of charge. Striking an unmarked line can cause outages, gas leaks or serious injury, which is why 811 campaigns are held nationwide each August to coincide with 811 Day.

For more information about Alabama 811 or to request a line locate, visit al811.com.