Did you know? April is National Safe Digging Month. The City of Naperville reminds people planning digging projects to remember to call the Joint Utility Locating Information of Excavators (JULIE) at 811 prior to beginning any work.
According to the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), every eight minutes an underground utility line is damaged because digging work was done without first calling 811. Underground cables for various utilities, including cable, water and sewer, are located throughout Naperville. These items can be damaged or ruptured by an assortment of digging instruments; a small bend or dent can create problems months later. Damaged cable can endanger property and public safety, in addition to being expensive and time consuming to repair.
Before beginning outdoor work such as planting trees or shrubs, erecting a fence or undertaking any construction work, state law requires anyone digging to call JULIE for cable locations. JULIE alerts utility members in the area of your intent to dig. The number for JULIE is 811 and may be reached 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone digging in Naperville, including homeowners and contractors, must call JULIE at least two working days before digging. Lines located in and around the planned dig area will be marked with different colors: yellow for gas or oil, red for electric, orange for communications, blue for water and green for sewer.
For more information on JULIE, visit www.illinois1call.com.
Color-coded flags and spray- painted color-coordinated markings such as the ones shown in this photo are reminders of where not to dig.
The City’s website also has a webpage dedicated to JULIE at www.naperville.il.us/julie.aspx.
RELATED POST 2017: Call JULIE before you dig.
