Locating underground utility lines should be step one when planning outdoor projects and spring planting

With spring blossoms on the horizon, many are anxious to get outside for yard, garden and home projects. NW Natural reminds homeowners, contractors and landscapers to call 8-1-1 to locate underground utilities at least two business days ahead of starting any project that involves digging. Locate requests are accepted over the phone or online at Oregon811.com and Washington811.com. 

“It’s incredibly important to contact 8-1-1 to have utility lines located before digging,” said Jaimie Lemke, NW Natural’s damage prevention supervisor. “It’s free, and it’s the law. It can also help prevent service interruption, thousands of dollars in damages, and the risk of injuries.” 

Here in the Northwest, NW Natural responds to more than 500 dig-ins or damages each year in its service territory, which are often caused by a third-party contractor or homeowner who didn’t call 811 before starting a project. 

NW Natural has a team of employees dedicated to educating contractors in such damage prevention efforts, and has reduced damages by about 70% since 2006 when it began comprehensive efforts to address the issue. In 2021 NW Natural became the first Oregon-based utility to earn a Gold Shovel Stand Certification for its commitment to practicing and promoting safe excavation practices. 

A new national public opinion survey of homeowners conducted by Common Ground Alliance revealed 74% of American homeowners plan to complete a home improvement project involving digging this year, and approximately 49.3 million Americans will take a risk by not contacting 8-1-1 beforehand. 

The most popular planned projects cited among surveyed homeowners who plan to dig include:

• Planting a tree or shrub: 74%
• Building a fence: 28%
• Building a deck or patio: 24%
• Installing a mailbox: 20%
• Something else: 8%

More important safety reminders:

• Report damages immediately: If while digging, you accidentally hit a gas line, report it immediately by calling NW Natural’s 24-hour emergency line at (800) 882-3377, or 9-1-1. No damage is too small to report, even a small dent could weaken a natural gas line.
• Smell. Go. Let us know. If you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately, then call us at (800) 882-3377 and we will come over to check things out.

For more information, visit nwnatural.com/safety/call-before-you-dig.

About NW Natural

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 795,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been doing business for more than 160 years. NW Holdings owns NW Natural, NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests. NW Natural has a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of its employees and communities. Learn more in the latest NW Natural ESG Report.