SPOKANE, Wash., May 19, 2020: Safety is top-of-mind for all of us right now as our communities take steps to help contain the spread of Covid-19. As people are staying home for social distancing purposes, and many are turning to springtime projects in their yard we are seeing an increase of dig-in related damages at this time. For your safety, if your project requires digging or trenching, Avista Utilities is reminding you to call 811 at least two business days before digging—it’s the law.

During this time of Covid-19, the 811 Call Before You Dig underground utility location services are still available. Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before you dig will help protect you—and others around you—from injury, prevent damages to utilities and service disruptions.

Calling 811 will give peace of mind when stepping on the shovel or starting up the backhoe.  There is no worrying about safety, extra cost or downtime—all of which can happen from digging into an underground line. Even a simple project like digging a hole for a mailbox post or planting a tree can have serious consequences if they don’t call 811 first.

The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in one common area, so it’s important to know where all are located before digging. For more safe digging tips, see myavista.com/811 and make sure to call 811 or go online at call811.com two business days before starting any project that involves digging. Having the utility lines located is a free service for residential customers.

We care about your safety. Please call 8-1-1 to have any underground utilities marked in your dig area(s).

An Avista call before you dig safety demonstration video is available at https://youtu.be/caPeompCK6o

About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 393,000 customers and natural gas to 361,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.myavista.com.
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