Press Releases
04/03/2023
Governor Lamont Proclaims April 2023 as Call Before You Dig Month
PURA reminds residents, contractors to call 811 before digging
(New Britain, CT – April 3, 2023) – Governor Ned Lamont today issued a proclamation declaring April 2023 as “Call Before You Dig Month” in Connecticut to remind residents and contractors about the importance of calling 811 or visiting www.CBYD.com before starting any excavation activities.
State law requires that anyone planning to excavate using power or mechanized equipment must notify Call Before you Dig, Inc. (CBYD) at least two full business days prior to digging. CBYD then notifies all owners and operators of buried utilities of an intent to dig to ensure lines, cables, pipes, and conduits can be properly located and marked by the standardized color-coding system.
The free program is designed to protect water, natural gas, sewer, and telecommunications infrastructure and prevent serious injuries, fires and explosions, utility outages, and costly repairs.
“Contacting CBYD is an easy step that can save lives and prevent damages to buried utilities and surrounding facilities,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “This notification service will be critical as warmer weather and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act increases construction activity across the state.”
PURA's Gas Pipeline Safety Unit oversees all CBYD activity across Connecticut, and may open an investigation and impose substantial fines for any party who violates the statutes and regulations. In 2022, PURA found 72 total violations at 600 CBYD inspections that amounted to approximately $5.5 million in civil penalties.
“CBYD is a critical safety program to protect the public from the dangers of underground utility damages,” said Karl Baker, head of PURA’s Gas Pipeline Safety Unit. “PURA will continue our aggressive enforcement program to ensure that all parties are properly following the regulations.”
In recent years, failure to notify the 811 call center remained the largest individual root cause of damages to underground infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada, according to a report by North American trade association Common Ground Alliance. There were 230,000 reported damages and near misses in 2021. Natural gas and telecommunications facilities incurred the most damages with about 81,000 and 75,000, respectively, the report said.
To learn more, visit PURA’s CBYD webpage or watch this instructional video about the CBYD program.
###
Twitter: @CT_PURA
Facebook: Connecticut PURA
LinkedIn: Connecticut PURA
YouTube: @Connecticut PURA
For Immediate Release: April 3, 2023
Contact: Taren O’Connor
Taren.Oconnor@ct.gov
860-999-3498
Joe Cooper
Joe.Cooper@ct.gov
860-944-9459