Florida ranks worst in the nation in utility line damages; safe digging starts with knowing what's below
Florida ranks worst in the nation for damaged underground utility lines, a statistic safety experts say is driven largely by one preventable mistake – digging without calling 811 first.
On 811 Day, Peoples Gas is reminding homeowners, contractors and excavators to call 811 before digging. Recognized annually on Aug. 11, 811 Day raises awareness about safe digging practices and the importance of protecting underground utility infrastructure.
Underground utility lines, including natural gas pipelines, electric cables, water lines and telecommunications facilities, are present in communities across Florida. Hitting an underground utility line can cause service outages, serious injuries, and costly repairs.
A free call to 811 or a request at Sunshine811.com notifies affected utility companies to mark the approximate location of underground lines for free before digging begins.
Last year, Peoples Gas locators responded to more than 570,000 locate requests across Florida. Despite that volume, preventable damage remains a serious concern: Of the 1,700 incidents involving Peoples Gas facilities in 2025, 45 percent occurred when no call was made to 811.
Why is calling 811 before digging important?
Whether planting a tree, installing a fence, building a deck or performing post-storm cleanup, every digging project should begin with a request to 811.
A recent national survey found that nearly three quarters of U.S. homeowners plan a digging related project this year, yet almost one in five admit they won’t contact 811 first. Many mistakenly believe shallow projects are safe — a misconception utilities say is among the most dangerous.
Always contact 811 before:
- Beginning any excavation project – no matter how small
- Installing landscaping or irrigation
- Replacing fences
- Removing fallen trees and grinding stumps
- Repairing storm-damaged property
How to request underground utility markings
- Contact 811 before digging
Call 811 or visit Sunshine811.com at least two full business days before excavation begins. Be prepared to provide the location and description of your project.
- Allow utilities time to respond
Sunshine 811 notifies participating utility companies, which send professional locators to mark the approximate location of underground facilities within two business days at no cost.
- Verify all responses
Check the status of your request at Sunshine811.com and wait until all utilities have responded before beginning work.
- Dig carefully around marked facilities
Respect all utility markings and use caution when excavating within 24 inches of either side of marked lines.
- Leave markings in place
Paint marks and flags indicate planned work areas and should remain undisturbed until the project is complete.
Learn More About 811 Day and Safe Digging
For additional information about safe excavation practices and underground utility protection, visit:
Peoples Gas System Inc., Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves more than 520,000 homes and businesses across the state. Through investments in people, technology and infrastructure, the company is committed to fueling Florida responsibly. Peoples Gas is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a leading North American provider of energy services headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
To learn more about the benefits of natural gas for Florida, visit FloridasEnergy.com. Find more information about the company, its culture, career opportunities and community investments at PeoplesGas.com.