National Trend Shows Surge in Underground Utility Damage, 811 Calls Crucial
A national trend shows increasing damage to underground utilities, with over 83,000 reports in 2024, one-fourth due to failure to call 811. Recent incidents in the St. Louis, MO region, including fires and explosions, highlight the dangers, exacerbated by increased…
Lafayette, IN, October 9, 2026 — A significant national trend indicates a rise in damage to underground utility lines, with more than 83,000 reports filed in 2024 alone. A substantial portion of these incidents, approximately one-fourth, are attributed to a failure to contact the 811 service before beginning excavation projects.
Recent events in the St. Louis, Missouri region serve as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with underground utility strikes. These incidents have reportedly included fires and explosions, underscoring the potential for severe consequences when excavation work proceeds without proper precautions.
Experts point to an increase in digging activities, driven in part by ongoing infrastructure upgrades such as the deployment of fiber optic internet networks, as a contributing factor to the heightened risk. This increased excavation activity magnifies the importance of adherence to safety protocols.
The 811 service is a national call-before-you-dig program designed to prevent damage to underground utilities, which include gas lines, electric cables, water mains, and telecommunications infrastructure. When homeowners or contractors dial 811, it initiates a process where local utility companies are alerted to mark the approximate location of their underground lines.
Failure to call 811 can lead to a range of problems, from service disruptions and costly repairs to dangerous situations involving explosions, fires, and personal injury. The data from 2024 suggests that a significant number of these potential hazards could be averted by simply making the call to 811 prior to any digging.
Safety professionals continue to emphasize that calling 811 is a free service and a critical step in ensuring the safety of both excavators and the public, while also preventing disruption to essential services and avoiding expensive property damage. Proper line marking by utility locators, followed by careful excavation around those marks, is paramount to mitigating these risks.
Story summarized from the original created by Lauren Trager, InvestigateTV staff on www.wlfi.com, see more information here.
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