LG&E and KU remind customers and excavators to use Kentucky 811 and dig with care
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Today, in observance of National Safe Digging Day, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company are reminding customers and excavators of all types to take caution by using Kentucky 811.
Kentucky 811 is a free statewide computer-operated communication system that provides a link between excavators and operators of underground utilities.
How it works
- Contact Kentucky 811 – Before beginning a project – large or small – contact Kentucky 811 at least two days in advance. You can submit your request by phone (dial 8-1-1) or online at Kentucky811.org. Both options are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The work is performed at no cost.
- Submit your locate request – Once the request is submitted, 811 will issue a "locate request" to member utilities, including those who provide natural gas, electric, telephone, cable and/or water service.
- Wait the required amount of time - After submitting a locate request, utilities will mark their lines within two full business days of receiving the request. Crews either mark their underground facilities with flags or paint, or notify you if there are no underground lines in your excavation area.
- Dig with Care – Leave at least 24 inches on all sides of the underground utility line and equipment markings.
Why it matters
Not only is using Kentucky 811 the law, using the service helps to protect the public; avoid costly repairs and fines; and guards against the potential for disrupting service to an individual or entire neighborhood. When lines are properly marked in advance, the odds for avoiding dig-in dangers improves by 99%.
Bonus tips
Customers and excavators are encouraged to mark the area where digging will occur with white paint. White lining helps utility locators focus on accurately marking underground utilities within just the excavation area.
When planting trees and shrubs, pay close attention to their full-grown height and root-depth estimations. While it may not look intrusive now, root growth can damage foundations and damage underground utility lines if planted too closely. Trees and tree debris coming in contact with overhead power lines are a major cause for power outages.
LG&E is a Kentucky 811-member utility across its entire service territory; KU is a member utility in most of the Kentucky counties it serves. KU customers can visit KU's Call Before You Dig web page or call 800-981-0600 to determine if they are required to contact KU directly to have underground electric lines marked or if they can submit their request to 811 to have all underground lines, including electric marked.
Visit lge-ku.com/safety for more important safety tips, resources and information including a special section for excavators.
###
Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve more than 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 333,000 natural gas and 429,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 566,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.
