With August 11 just around the corner, Medina Electric Cooperative is using the 8/11 calendar date as a timely reminder to residents: Always contact 811 to have underground utilities marked before starting any digging project.
Whether you’re installing a mailbox or breaking ground on a major construction project, contacting 811 helps prevent accidents, outages and costly repairs.
Every few minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone digs without calling 811. Hitting a buried line can lead to serious consequences—from disrupting essential services to causing severe injury.
Striking a single utility line can cause repair costs, inconvenient outages, fines, severe injuries and even fatalities. From building a deck to planting a tree, every digging project requires a free 811 request by phone or online at least two business days before you plan to break ground.
On August 11—and every day—we at Medina EC remind homeowners and contractors to use 811 before they dig. This simple step protects you, your property and your entire community. It’s free, fast and can prevent a life-changing mistake.
Digging soon? Take these steps to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks:
- Contact 811 in advance—no matter the size of your project or how well you know the property.
- Plan ahead and make your request early in the week for weekend projects.
- Wait for utility lines to be marked and confirm that utilities have responded to your request before starting any digging.
- Respect the marks and dig with care.
- Double-check that your contractor has contacted 811 if you’ve hired one, and never allow unmarked digging to begin.
To learn more about safe digging and to submit a request, call 811 or visit Texas811.org.
