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Recent CGA Survey Reveals More Than Half of Homeowners Plan to Dig Without Contacting 811 First
Arecently released national survey revealed that over half (51%) of U.S. homeowners plan to complete an outdoor do-it- yourself project that involves digging
in the next year, but 26.9 million Americans do not plan to notify 811 ahead of their next project. This survey by Common Ground Alliance (CGA) – the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, the people who dig near them, and their communities – shows that homeowners are putting themselves and their communities at risk by not contacting 811 before digging.
Respondents of the survey cited the belief that ‘shallow’ digging does not require contacting 811, and unfamiliarity with the 811 notification process, as
the top reasons they do not plan to get utilities marked before breaking ground on DIY digging projects. Interestingly, however, homeowners value contractors calling 811 or submitting an online request to have the underground utilities on their property marked, with 95% citing this step as important.
Last year, CGA challenged the industry with the ambitious goal of reducing damages by 50 percent in five years. “Since the CGA Board of Directors issued its industry challenge in February 2023 to reduce damages by 50 percent in five years, the momentum toward progress has been remarkable,” said CGA President and CEO Sarah
K. Magruder Lyle. “Our members have accepted the challenge, embracing that now is the time to take damage prevention to the next level and make
a serious reduction in annual damages to protect critical underground infrastructure.”
In order to make meaningful
change, earlier this year, the CGA Board unanimously approved the establishment of a separate entity, the Damage Prevention Action Center (DPAC), to advocate for effective policies and industry practices that are critical to maintaining the integrity of the complex network of underground infrastructure that communities depend on every day.
The DPAC will focus on collaborating with key stakeholders to engage
with and educate elected officials
and policymakers in a nonpartisan/ bipartisan manner at all levels of government about the importance
of updating and enacting laws and regulations to meet the needs of today. This will be done by both implementing effective damage prevention policies and understanding the significant economic, environmental, safety and societal impacts of dig-ins on communities.
Bringing data and resources to nonpartisan organizations like
the National Conference of State Legislators, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
and others, will help to influence
how policymakers think about
damage prevention and its impact on communities. Continuing to elevate this important discussion about the need
to update damage prevention policies will help the industry reach its goal of reducing damages by 50 percent in 5 years.
About the study
Online survey among 1,000 US Homeowners, aged 21+ fielded between March 5-7, 2024. The survey was conducted by Censuswide, a global insight-driven research center on behalf of CGA. The margin of error based on a 95% confidence level is +/- 3%.
About the Common Ground Alliance
Common Ground Alliance (CGA)
is a member-driven association of nearly 4,200 damage prevention professionals spanning every facet
of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage prevention data and information on reducing damage to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
About the Damage Prevention Action Center
The Damage Prevention Action Center advocates for public policies and industry practices that protect our Nation’s critical underground utility infrastructure and those who work and live near these important assets. Visit www.damagepreventionact.com for more information.
2024, Issue 2 West Virginia 811 • 15