COLLINSVILLE – Before striking the ground this spring, Ameren Illinois wants to alert you about new guidelines established under the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act.
This legislation, effective Jan. 1, aims to enhance public safety, minimize risks to excavators, prevent disruptions and aid in the expansion of vital public services.
Calling 811 before digging or breaking ground remains a state law. The new addition is the requirement to pre-mark the work area. According to the updated language in the act, “all locate requests will require pre-marking, by physically marking the proposed excavation or route, electronic white lining (when available) or with verbal pre-marking when the description provided is explicit enough to limit markings to the actual excavation area.”
The other three amendments include a change to notification times, positive response and reasonable control measures. To learn more about these amendments, visit Illinois1call.
“The new amendment to pre-marking adds another safety layer for the home or business owner,” said Jake Dukett, supervisor of Natural Gas Public Awareness for Ameren Illinois. “It will help locators understand where the actual worksite is located on the property.”
Nationwide, every six minutes an underground utility is damaged because someone did not call 811 before that first shovel or spike broke the earth. If you damage a natural gas line, immediately leave the area, go upwind and call your energy provider, 911 emergency and then 811. You can reach Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000.
Follow these crucial steps to comply with the law and stay safe:
1. Pre-mark the area with white paint, wooden stakes or flags where you plan to dig.
2. Call 811 or visit Illinois1call.com in Illinois at least three business days before starting a digging project. Requests can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
3. Wait until a professional locator comes out to mark natural gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone and cable lines. The approximate location of buried utilities will be marked with paint and flags, so you do not unintentionally dig into an underground utility line. Each utility type corresponds to a specific color of paint and flag (yellow for natural gas and red for electric), and all of them must be marked before you can dig.
4. Once the site has been clearly marked, proceed with caution. Avoid digging within the tolerance zone of each marking. The tolerance zone on each side of the utility mark is 18 inches in Illinois. It is important to use the appropriate tools to dig with care and follow safe digging practices. If digging within the tolerance zone cannot be avoided, digging must be completed by hand or hydro excavating.
If you inadvertently strike an underground natural gas line or other utility, stop digging right away, clear the area and immediately call 911 and then Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000.
Even DIY projects that might seem small require you to contact 811, including:
• Planting a garden
• Planting a tree
• Installing a mailbox
• Driving a stake into the ground, including a yard stake for your dog
• Digging an in-ground sandbox
• Removing a driveway or concrete slab
“It is important to have utilities freshly marked every time you dig, even if you have had utilities marked for past projects,” said Eric Kozak, vice president of natural gas operations and distribution for Ameren Illinois. “The lines may have shifted due to erosion and root growth since the last project. Calling 811 is free and easy, so keep your home and neighborhood safe by calling first.”