Safe digging begins well before the first shovel touches the ground. Whether you're planting a tree, putting up a fence, building a deck or starting other outdoor projects, calling 811 before you dig helps avoid injuries, service outages and expensive repairs.
Many essential services we rely on every day, including natural gas, electricity, water and communications, are delivered through underground utility lines. Accidentally hitting these lines can pose serious safety risks and cause disruptions to homes and businesses. Even small projects can endanger underground infrastructure.
At NiSource and our Columbia Gas and NIPSCO companies, safety is foundational to everything we do. That's why we encourage homeowners and contractors to make safe digging a year-round priority by contacting 811 before every digging project.
Before You Dig
- Contact your state's 811 service.
- Allow the required notification period.
- Wait for utilities to mark underground lines.
- Review the markings and dig carefully.
Notification requirements vary by state. Across the NiSource footprint, customers should call 811 at least two full working days or three business days before digging, depending on location. New in 2026, Ohio now requires notification at least two full working days before excavation begins.
While observations like National Safe Digging Month and 811 Day raise awareness of safe digging, the importance of contacting 811 extends far beyond a single day or month. The message is simple and applies year-round: contact 811 before every dig, every time. For more information about your state, visit your local operating company's website:
Brad TutunjianSr. Vice President Gas Operations, NiSource Inc.
