Before Staking Your Claim, Ameren Illinois Reminds Customers to Call 8-1-1

Photo submitted by Ameren.

For Immediate Release

Before Staking Your Claim, Ameren Illinois Reminds Customers to Call 8-1-1

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (AUGUST 11, 2022) – As Ameren Illinois “marks” National 811 Day (8/11), it is reminding customers about the importance of calling J.U.L.I.E. (8-1-1) before digging or driving a stake into the ground.

The company reports that damages to its underground natural gas and electric utilities have increased this year over last. One of the causes of these damages is that more customers are driving stakes into the ground without having their underground utility lines properly marked.

“People generally are aware they need to call J.U.L.I.E. before digging, but most don’t realize that putting a stake in the ground is considered excavating according to the law,” said Eric Kozak, vice president of Natural Gas Operations and Distribution for Ameren Illinois. “National 811 Day serves as a great safety prompter to remind our customers to always call J.U.L.I.E. (8-1-1) at least two business days before digging or hammering a stake into the yard.”

“Every six minutes, someone makes contact with an underground utility in the U.S. because they didn’t call 8-1-1 before that first shovel broke the earth or a stake pierced the ground,” said Jake Dukett, supervisor of Natural Gas Public Awareness. “A proactive call to 8-1-1 will not only help customers avoid loss of natural gas service and costly repairs, but it can also prevent serious injury. Calling before you dig is the law, and the J.U.L.I.E. 8-1-1 service is free.”

Dialing 8-1-1 automatically connects callers to the local J.U.L.I.E (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) organization which determines whether underground facilities are present in the dig location. United States Infrastructure Corporation (USIC) or Stake Center Locating (SCL) is then dispatched to the property to identify and mark utility lines within two business days. Digging can only begin once the marking process is complete and the start time on the “dig ticket” is valid.