Owatonna Public Utilities Reminds Everyone to Call Before You Dig

The approaching warmer weather will tempt many people to get to work on their landscaping and other outdoor projects. Owatonna Utilities reminds everyone to make a call first.

April is National Safe Digging Month. In Minnesota home owners or contractors can call (800) 252-1166 or go to www.gopherstateonecall.org to get their underground utility lines marked before beginning their excavation work. A new way to make the call is to dial 811. This new program is a nationwide effort to simplify the process.

Whether you are a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself individual planting a tree in the back yard, it is important to call first. The utility companies have two business days from the time the call was made to mark any buried utility lines. Gopher State One Call hours are 7AM to 5PM Monday through Friday.

If you are doing work that will come within 10 feet of overhead lines, call Owatonna Public Utilities at (507) 451-1616 and they will place cover-ups on the lines to further protect you.