CALL BEFORE YOU DIG

Kootenai County Utilities Council

P.O. Box 1031 Hayden, ID 83835

“811”

KOOTENAI COUNTY UTILITIES COUNCIL

March 2009

The Kootenai County Utilities Council is cordially inviting all local public utilities as well as area contractors to become active members of the Utilities Council. This Council promotes the proper use of subsurface utility locate procedures mandated by the state of Idaho under the Dig Law. By joining the Council you can help us get the word out and to help reduce or prevent accidental and unnecessary utility damage.

What is the Dig Law? Simply put, it is a law enacted by the state of Idaho under federal mandate requiring anyone digging or moving dirt to call for subsurface utility locates. Due to the ever increasing installation of utilities under ground including phone, power, gas, cable, and fiber optics, etc., utility and property damage as well as personal injury and death had become an all too frequent problem. The law was enacted in an effort to reduce and eventually eliminate the majority of these accidents.     

What are utility locates? The subsurface utility locates provide information in the way of ­­­­surface markings for underground utilities in the form of paint, pin flags, chalk, etc… on the ground for the person doing the excavation work as to what utilities are present and their approximate location. But you also need to be aware that some utilities only mark to a pedestal or meter where their responsibility ends. There are private companies that can be contacted to finish locates to the structure if needed. Why do I need to call for a utility locate? Because it is the law, and you can be held liable for all damages and subsequent repair work, provided you are fortunate enough to still be around to do so.

Comments we frequently hear. I am digging on private property and I know there is nothing there! Do you really know what is under yours or your customer’s lawn or property? Is there an easement or a right-of-way from a utility company on your property? Most people believe these accidents only happen to the big contractors out in the street, but there are a surprising number of people injured or killed every year planting shrubs, flowers, ornaments and fences in private yards because they did not know about that phone line, cable TV, fiber optic, power line, gas service or worse, running through the middle of the yard and failed to call for a locate. Don’t let this happen to you.

OK, how do I get a locate? All of the states have cooperated recently to make it simple. Just dial 811 from any phone and you will be connected with the nationwide network. After answering a couple of questions you will be routed to the local area office and will be able to process the locate request. You will be required to provide an address or physical location of the excavation work, a contact name and phone number, and the anticipated dig date as well as a description of the work to be done. The locate requires a minimum of two business days to be completed. Utilities mark their facilities as a free service, regardless of whether you become a member or not, as long as you remember to call for that locate. If you have any questions please contact:

Marie Brown

Pass Word Inc

Coeur D Alene Office Manger

208-769-6000

1919 N. 3rd Street

Coeur D Alene, ID  83815

Just what will I get from joining the Utilities Council? For a very modest annual dues fee, you will receive ample literature describing how the locate process works and what the marks on the ground actually mean. You can receive the following promotional items:

·         Bumper Stickers

·         Key Chains

·         Carpenters Pencils

·         Magnetic Dash Decals

·         Trifold Pamphlets

·         Color Code Cards

for each of your service vehicles, construction equipment and offices to help remind your employees to call for and observe locates and accompanying regulations.

The Council can provide the following services;

• On site training for larger groups of employees,
  
  
• Informational access to regional and nation wide meetings and correspondence,
  
  
• Access to various underground and utility magazine subscriptions,
  
  
• A monthly forum for talking about recurring problems and/or possible improvements to the system,
  
  
• Assistance with dealing with persons or businesses who routinely will not comply with the Dig Law.
  
  
• If you are an underground utility, the Council is there to protect your utility.  Our job is to educate and inform the public, contractors, and other utilities of the importance of the underground locating of utilities.  Help us to help you preserve and protect your underground utility.
  
  
• If you are a contractor, join the Council to have input that will directly help your company perform your job better, more efficiently, and safely.  Safety is everyone's job, and belonging to the Utility Council is a way that you can educate and inform your employees of the proper process for locating of underground utilities.  Your company's input to the Council can help all contractors and utilities work together safely.

Wow, how do I become a member? To become a member, please submit an application to the Council at:

Kootenai County Utilities Council

P.O. Box 1031

Hayden, ID 83835

or apply online at kcutilitycouncil@yahoo.com