April Is Safe Digging Month: A Critical Reminder from NWGA

Each April, utilities and safety organizations across the country recognize National Safe Digging Month—a timely reminder as spring projects ramp up across the Pacific Northwest. For regional natural gas utilities in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, this month is not just a seasonal campaign—it is a core component of public safety, system integrity, and reliable energy delivery.

As warmer weather arrives, homeowners, contractors, and municipalities begin landscaping, construction, and infrastructure work. What many do not realize is that critical utility infrastructure—including natural gas pipelines, electric lines, and communications cables—often lies just inches below the surface. Even minor excavation can result in service disruptions, costly repairs, or serious safety hazards.

The 811 System: First Line of Defense

At the center of Safe Digging Month is a simple but essential message: call 811 before you dig. This free, legally required service connects excavators with local utility operators, who will mark the location of underground infrastructure prior to excavation. Oregon Utility Notification Center and similar “one-call” systems across the region coordinate these efforts.

Utilities consistently emphasize three core steps:

·      Contact 811 (or submit a request online) at least two business days before digging

·      Wait for utilities to mark underground lines with standardized color codes

·      Dig carefully and respect all markings

These steps are not optional—state laws across Oregon and Washington require notification before excavation. The service is free and designed to prevent incidents that can cost thousands of dollars or result in injury.

Regional utilities play a leading role in Safe Digging Month outreach. NW Natural, which serves approximately 2 million people in Oregon and Southwest Washington, annually reinforces the “Call Before You Dig” message through media campaigns, digital tools, and community engagement.

Similarly, interstate pipeline operators such as Williams and local distribution companies like Avista collaborate on regional damage prevention initiatives, including safety summits and coordinated outreach to farmers, contractors, and property owners. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that cross-sector coordination is essential to protecting shared infrastructure systems.

The stakes are significant. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of utility damage incidents occur annually due to failure to call 811. Even a single incident can:

·      Interrupt natural gas service to entire neighborhoods

·      Trigger emergency response and evacuation scenarios

·      Increase system repair costs—ultimately borne by ratepayers

·      Undermine confidence in infrastructure reliability

Natural gas utilities, in particular, emphasize that pipeline safety is foundational to system reliability. Preventing third-party damage is one of the most effective—and lowest-cost—ways to maintain safe operations and avoid unplanned outages.

Safe Digging Month underscores a broader principle: energy infrastructure safety is a shared responsibility. Utilities invest heavily in modern pipeline systems, monitoring, and maintenance—but public awareness and compliance are equally critical.

For policymakers and regional stakeholders, the message aligns with broader energy system priorities in the Pacific Northwest: resilience, coordination, and proactive risk mitigation. As demand grows and infrastructure becomes more interconnected, preventing avoidable disruptions is more important than ever.

Before breaking ground this spring—whether planting a tree, installing a fence, or beginning a major construction project—take the first step: call 811.

It is free. It is required. And it is one of the simplest actions individuals can take to protect lives, infrastructure, and the reliability of the Pacific Northwest’s energy system.

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