Government and industry statistics show that improper or unauthorized digging near a pipeline is the most common cause of pipeline damage.

Communities and schools can help protect residents, students, facilities and pipelines by being aware of activities near the pipeline and calling the pipeline company or local law enforcement with questions or concerns.

Protecting Neighborhood Pipelines

Government and industry statistics show that improper or unauthorized digging near a pipeline is the most common cause of pipeline damage.

Residents should require that all excavators working in neighborhoods or on school grounds, including landscapers, contact the local One-Call center by calling 811 at least 48 hours before digging or as required by state law. Pipeline companies will place temporary markings including yellow flags, paint or stakes to identify the location of the pipeline and provide instructions to excavators regarding how and where to safely dig to protect the pipeline.

Call Before You Dig

Residents and school officials can help protect pipelines by being aware of the One-Call process and enforcing One-Call requirements throughout communities.

Pipeline operators are members of a nationwide system of One-Call centers. When you call 811, a free service, a local One-Call enter representative will notify pipeline operators regarding your excavation project.

Operators will come out to locate and mark their lines. When you call One-Call, be sure to confirm the required wait time in your state and the distance you should maintain from the marks.

Once lines are located, respect the marks and dig with care.

Education Materials

Underground pipelines crisscross neighborhoods and entire communities. The Smalley Foundation provides materials to communities and to teachers that explain what energy pipelines do, how they work and what to do in an emergency. These materials teach students and residents how to:

• Identify pipelines in and near their homes (see “Find Pipelines Near Your School”)
• Recognize a potential pipeline problem (see “Leak Recognition & Response Guidance”)
• Appropriately respond to a pipeline problem – including who to tell (see “Leak Recognition and Response Guidance”)
• Help protect pipelines in their home and community

811 Kids Program

The 811 Kids Program includes a seven-minute video "Call 811 Before You Dig" and complimentary classroom materials to teach elementary-aged children about pipelines and how they can help protect the pipelines in and around their homes.

The program is sponsored by Common Ground Alliance, Williams and the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration.