CenterPoint Energy celebrates National 811 Day: Contact 811 before any digging project – big or small

CenterPoint Energy proudly recognizes National 811 Day on Aug. 11 (8/11) and reminds everyone to contact 811 at least three business days before starting any outdoor digging project, big or small – including gardening, building or repairing a fence, installing a deck or any other work. Everyone can use this free service to have underground utility lines like natural gas, electric, water and telecom facilities located and marked.

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According to the Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association of nearly 3,800 damage prevention professionals in the underground utility industry, utility lines are damaged every few minutes because digging occurs without contacting 811. In 2025 so far, CenterPoint experienced more than 3,700 damages to natural gas lines within its four-state service area because digging occurred without underground utility lines being located and marked.

“On 811 day and throughout the year, we want to remind everyone of the importance of having utilities located and marked to know what’s below prior to digging,” said Richard Leger, Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Business at CenterPoint. “No matter how shallow or minor a project, everyone can take steps to prevent safety incidents and loss of utility service for their communities by contacting 811 to have underground utility lines located and marked.”

Safe digging practices are required by state law and help prevent damage to underground natural gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines. Over time, weather and ground cover can change, leaving utilities as shallow as inches below the surface. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injury, including death, as well as service disruptions, fines and costly repairs.

Simple steps to dig safely

To prevent damage and stay safe, CenterPoint urges everyone to:

• Plan ahead! Contact 811 at least three business days before starting work.
• Make the request early in the week for weekend projects.
• Confirm all utility lines are marked before beginning work.
• Adjust plans if needed. Relocate projects too close to marked utility lines.
• Verify hired contractors have contacted 811 before their work. 
• Remember: utility locates expire. Complete digging in the timeframe required by state law. If work cannot be completed in that time, request new locates. 

Smell natural gas? Act fast!

If a natural gas line is struck outside of a home or business, customers should:

• Leave the area immediately on foot. Do not attempt to restart or move powered equipment or use your mobile device or any other item that could cause a spark.
• Go to a safe location, then call 911 and CenterPoint.
• Remain in a safe area until directed by emergency personnel to do otherwise.
• Leave all repairs to a trained technician.

Visit 811BeforeYouDig.com for more information about 811 and the process to have underground utility lines marked. For more information about natural gas safety, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety. 

Source: CenterPoint Energy

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