Essential Utilities Reminds Customers and Contractors to Practice Safe Digging by Calling 811

Keep your communities safe and prevent service disruptions during spring landscaping and home improvement projects using the 811 One Call System

In honor of National Safe Digging Month, Essential Utilities and its water and natural gas segments, Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas, remind homeowners, businesses and contractors to contact 811 before beginning any digging project, large or small.

Contacting 811 is required by law for all excavation projects, including major construction work and smaller home improvement projects like planting trees and shrubs, installing mailboxes, or setting up basketball hoops or swing sets. Contractors are required to call on behalf of their customers, though all residents must use the 811 service when doing projects involving digging to ensure safety and compliance with the law.

“National Safe Digging Month reminds us that calling 811 before starting any digging project – no matter how small – helps protect critical underground infrastructure,” said Essential National Safety Director Matt Deluhery. “Gas, water and other underground utility lines are out of sight, but they cannot be out of mind when excavating. Our team is committed to ensuring that customers have the information they need to dig safely.”

The 811 One Call system is a simple, quick process designed to prevent unnecessary hazards. Before beginning any project, follow these steps:

• Call 811 at least three (3) business days before digging.
• Wait for utility locators to identify and mark the location of underground lines.
• Respect the markings and use appropriate excavation techniques throughout your project.
• Notify the appropriate utility company immediately if damage occurs to pipelines, line markers, locator wires or warning tape.
• While 811 is a national service, Safe Digging laws vary from state to state, so be sure to confirm the laws in your area before you get started.

Essential, Peoples and Aqua are longtime supporters of the 811 One Call system, and strongly encourage everyone this National Safe Digging Month: Call Before You Dig!

About Essential Utilities, Inc.

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

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“National Safe Digging Month reminds us that calling 811 before starting any digging project – no matter how small – helps protect critical underground infrastructure,” said Essential National Safety Director Matt Deluhery.