COLUMN: Call first, dig later

It seems as though every project around the house turns into a major production. It was no different when we decided to extend the drip system from the back yard down the side of the house to the street.

We saw the utilities go in when our house was being built and thought we remembered where they were, but to be really certain, it was time for "Call Before You Dig."

The woman at the end of the toll-free number took our information and gave us a time by which the utilities were obligated to respond to our inquiry. Sure enough, different people came by and spray-painted lines to correspond to their service.

Eventually, after much sweating, sore muscles and blisters, we got the job done. But I wondered what is behind "Call Before You Dig."

Don Heyer, operations manager for Underground Service Alert of Northern California and Nevada, said there are one-call systems throughout the country, but his particular nonprofit system takes care of central and northern California and all of Nevada.

Heyer said both states have legislation requiring anyone using heavy equipment to call. In California, anyone with an excavation permit who does not call faces a fine of as much as $100,000.

He said 25 percent to 30 percent of the calls are from homeowners, with the balance from contractors and utilities.

"Utilities are safest underground, but out of sight is out of mind," Heyer said. "Anyone can get hurt or killed by digging into a utility." He pointed out that even though it might not be a dangerous utility that's broken, "Those that won't kill you, you might wish you were dead."

"Eight or more years ago, the Tennessee Valley Authority thought they'd help out local farmers by burying a couple of dead cows. They saw marker signs and moved away from them to dig the hole. AT&T won a $1.2 million lawsuit for the two hours its service was down."

Today that cost would be hundreds of times more because of fiber optics, according to Heyer. "Even though the full fiber optics might not be used, they would charge as though it were."

Heyer emphasized the importance of homeowners contacting the service as well as companies and utilities.

"If one of these utilities is out of business even 30 to 60 seconds, you as a homeowner couldn't afford to compensate them for their services. You could cut a phone line on your street and be liable for third-party damages such as fire, medical or police emergencies."

The cost to the excavator: zip, nothing, nada. Heyer said the center averages 3,500 calls a year and the cost is borne by members. The Nevada Department of Transportation is not a member and doesn't call, so don't be surprised the next time you see TV video of a gas line that was broken into while NDOT was working on a road. Heyer said USA North, as the company likes to be called, was founded in 1975. Since then, it has saved members thousands of dollars by avoiding accidents.

"Our service saves lives and reduces damages," he said. "The service to our customer has paid for itself, we are so economical."

For you homeowners who are thinking of excavating, the number is (800) 227-2600.

Thanks to this service, we felt confident that we were safe while digging the trench. The drip system has been installed; the bushes planted; the yard looks great. Ah, the joys of homeownership.

Carmel Hopkins, real estate product manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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