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8.06.12
5:42 am
Company News, Storms & Emergencies
Hampton, NH
Unitil (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, is joining forces with hundreds of companies and organizations across the country to remind everyone of the importance of safe digging. By calling a national number—811—at least three days before starting any digging project, residents can avoid unintentionally striking underground utility lines.
“At Unitil, the safety of our customers, employees and community is our top priority and we urge everyone to dig safe year-round,” said Carol Valianti, vice president of communications and public affairs for Unitil. “Calling the national number—811—before digging is an easy way to keep your family, your property and your community safe and sound.”
Callers to 811 are connected to a local call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate location of underground lines. Utility companies use markings on the street to indicate what types of lines are buried below ground:
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Red—Electric
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Orange—Communications, telephone/CATV
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Blue—Potable water
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Green—Sewer/drainage
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Yellow—Gas/petroleum pipeline
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Purple—Reclaimed water
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White—Premark site of intended excavation
Residents should call 811 before any project that involves digging. Even routine excavation activities such as installing mailboxes, fences, or flag poles; planting a tree or a garden and building a deck can cause serious damage to utility lines and can put people in danger.
“Take the time to make the simple call—it shows your community that you care and that you value the safety of your family and your neighbors,” said Lisa Powers, public relations executive for Dig Safe System, Inc., a communication network that assists excavators, contractors and property owners in complying with state law by notifying the appropriate utilities before digging.
More information about the 811 service can be found here.
For more information please contact:
Sarah Grazier
Public Relations Manager
Calypso Communications on behalf of Unitil Corporation
sgrazier@calypsocom.com
Tel: (603) 431-0816
Mobile: (603) 320-3402
