Call 811 before shovels or digging equipment hit the ground
MANCHESTER, N.H. (August 10, 2026) – In recognition of National Safe Digging Day on August 11, Eversource is reminding customers to always call 8-1-1 before starting any project that requires digging, whether it’s as basic as planting a shrub or tree, or as complex as installing a deck or pool. Statistics show excavation work causes damage to underground utility lines every six minutes in the U.S., and a simple call to 8-1-1 in advance of digging to mark those underground lines can not only avoid electric or natural gas service interruptions, but also possible injury or even death. According to the US Department of Transportation, if someone calls 8-1-1 before they dig, they have a 99 percent chance of avoiding an outage or a catastrophe.
“With more than 20 million miles of utility lines – electric, natural gas, phone, cable, internet and water – running underground through communities across the country, it’s crucial that people know what’s under the ground before they lift a shovel or start up the excavator,” said Eversource Vice President of Safety, Training and Fleet Operations Cliff Williams. “Call Before You Dig is the best way to avoid a potentially dangerous incident or service issue, and it’s also required by law. The free and easy process will help plan your project safely and protect your finances, so it’s always worth taking the extra step to ‘call before you dig’.”
Dig Safe oversees safe digging practices in New Hampshire and offers a one-call system to locate and mark underground facilities that are near proposed excavation areas. By calling 8-1-1 at least three full working days before starting the job, homeowners and contractors are connected with Dig Safe, which notifies local utilities of any scheduled digging activities. Professionals then visit the property to mark utility-owned underground lines with flags and/or spray paint to indicate areas to be avoided.
Some essential tips to remember:
Regardless of the depth of the digging or familiarity with the property, always contact 8-1-1 before starting a project or submit a request online via Dig Safe.
Whether using power equipment or hand tools such as axes, shovels or posthole diggers, the law requires notifying Dig Safe at least three business days in advance of a project that requires digging or excavation work.
Underground electric, gas, communication and water lines can be located anywhere. Know what’s below to avoid injury and damage to utility lines.
Hitting a utility line can lead to injury, repair costs, fines and service outages.
For more information about Dig Safe, visit www.digsafe.com.
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its commitment to sustainability and corporate citizenship, is named among America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for 2026 and recognized as the #1 utility on USA Today’s list of America’s Climate Leaders for 2025. Eversource is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving nearly 549,000 homes and businesses in 206 cities and towns. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the #1 contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Eversource harnesses the commitment of more than 10,300 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy with superior customer service. The #1 Energy Efficiency Provider in the Nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
