From the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District

When summer activity peaks, many of us try to complete home projects as quickly as possible, from installing new mailboxes to planting trees or building a new deck. While these activities can enhance our properties, they also pose a risk to underground utilities, including natural gas lines. The Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD) offers important tips on how to dig safely and stay proactive about natural gas safety.

Every year on National 811 Day (August 11), our partners at Sunshine 811 remind us to be aware of underground utilities before digging. Sunshine 811 is a free service that notifies utility companies when and where someone is digging so they can mark the necessary utilities, preventing potentially dangerous utility interruptions.

Contacting Sunshine 811 is free and required by law before beginning any excavation work in Florida. After calling, they will work with you to ensure that nearby utility lines are located and appropriately marked so you can begin your project safely. In addition to calling 8-1-1, here are five tips to help you dig safely:

1. Call early: Florida residents should call 811 at least two (2) full business days before an excavation project begins. For example, if you plan to start work on the weekend, call by Tuesday or Wednesday to ensure you can get started right away on Saturday.
2. Respect the tolerance zone: Always treat locator flags and paint markings as approximate and allow a 24-inch “tolerance zone” from the outside edges of a buried line.
3. Keep markings visible: Make sure locator markers remain visible. Never place piles of trash or building materials on markers. Call 811 again if markers fade.
4. Manual digging: Do not use mechanized equipment near utility lines. The safest option is to dig manually to expose the utility line and avoid damaging it.
5. Do you know the colors: Here is a quick overview (below) of the meaning of the different color markings:

At LANGD, your safety is our top priority, and this commitment is backed by national industry recognition. The District is proud to receive the American Public Gas Association (APGA) Safety Award for the 14th year in a row in 2023 while maintaining 100% compliance with state and federal natural gas pipeline safety regulations.

Natural gas is extremely resilient because it is delivered through underground pipelines. By following these guidelines and being proactive about natural gas safety, we can ensure the safe and reliable use of natural gas for all.

Together, let’s make this National 811 Day a reminder to always call before you dig! For more information about switching to natural gas, contact our marketing team at (407) 656-2734 x307, email [email protected], or visit www.langd.org.