Ameren Illinois is reminding customers to contact 811 before doing any digging during National Safe Digging Month.
While much of Ameren’s infrastructure is visible above ground, some electric and natural gas lines run underground, and homeowners or contractors may not be aware they’re buried below a work zone.
Brian Bretsch with Ameren says that calling 811 before you dig will not only help prevent a potential accident but it’s the law.
“It’s important to call JULIE this time of the year. The weather is starting to warm up across the State of Illinois and people are looking to get outside to do some outdoor projects to cope with the pandemic. But before you stick a shovel in the yard to plant that garden or to dig a couple of holes to install a summer fence, spring fence, we want you to call 811. We want to remind customers that it is a free service and in the State of Illinois, it’s the law.”
Doing so will help identify the location of buried infrastructure, helping prevent potentially dangerous natural gas leaks and ensuring homes stay fully connected.
Gina Meehan-Taylor with Ameren Illinois details what happens when a customer calls the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators, or JULIE, for help.
“When you call JULIE at 811, a contractor will come out to the dig site, identify what underground utilities are in that area, and mark them within two business days so you can dig safely.”
Meehan-Taylor adds that if you choose to dig without calling JULIE and strike a natural gas line, here’s what you do.
“If you are digging and you inadvertently hit a natural gas line and cause a release, the first thing you want to do is clear the area, call 911, and then Ameren Illinois.”
Requests can also be submitted online.