Iowa Utilities Commission Chair Sarah Martz was joined on Monday, August 11, at the Iowa State Fair by Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, Jacob Larson with the Iowa Attorney General's Office, and utility industry representatives for recognition of 811 Day, which promotes the practice of safe digging by calling for a utility locate before beginning any excavation project.
Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier signed a proclamation recognizing 811 Day in Iowa and the importance of protecting underground utilities. Held nationwide every year on August 11, 811 Day promotes the practice of safe digging by reminding Iowans of Iowa’s One Call law, which requires a toll-free call to 811 at least two business days before digging.
Iowa homeowners who plan to plant a tree, landscape a yard, or install a fence or mailbox may not think to make the required 811 call or contact IowaOneCall.com before digging. But research indicates that calling 811 first helps avoid utility-related accidents, utility outages, harm to the environment, or potential fines.
Calling Iowa’s One Call center at 811 has proven to be the foremost preventive measure in excavation safety and damage prevention of underground utility infrastructure. Equally as important, calling 811 for a utility locate before you dig is the law.
Visit Iowa’s One Call Law page on the IUC website or 811beforeyoudig.com to learn more about submitting a ticket for utility locates and having your utilities marked in advance of a digging project.