NIPSCO reminds anyone with outdoor plans that involve digging to call 811 before doing so. Officials say digging into underground lines is the biggest risk to NIPSCO’s gas system and the leading cause of damage. So-called “blind digging” damages an underground utility line every six minutes, according to Common Ground Alliance. Striking an underground line can harm you and others, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood and potentially result in fines and repair costs.
Those problems can be prevented by calling 811 or visiting www.811NOW.com at least two days before you plan to dig. The free national service will notify affected utility companies of plans to dig. They will send a professional locator to the digging site to identify and mark the approximate location of underground utilities.
NIPSCO customers who call 811 will automatically be entered into a drawing for an $811 gift card from a home improvement store. A total of four random winners will be selected on Sept. 8, 2015. Visit NIPSCO.com/811 for official sweepstakes rules.
