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Call Before You Dig

Chattanooga Gas Safe Digging Campaign 2022 - 'No Diggity' Remix By Chauncey Black of Blackstreet

No Diggity is back! Revisit our remix to the 90s hit and remember to call 811 before you dig.

Dig up the musical nostalgia of Blackstreet’s ’90s chart-topping R&B jam “No Diggity,” which has been remixed to promote safe digging awareness.

Chattanooga Gas partnered with Grammy® award-winning singer, songwriter Chauncey Black of Blackstreet to launch the “No Diggity” Safe Digging Campaign to emphasize the importance of calling 811 before starting any outdoor digging project. The witty remix of the hit song was recorded by Black himself.

“When I heard about this campaign and its message, I instantly wanted to get behind it. The message builds awareness of the dangers around unsafe digging where utility lines may be involved and is something that must be heard. And what better way to deliver an important message than with a song,” Black said. “Safe digging saves lives. No diggity, no doubt.”

Chattanooga Gas is using the fresh take on “No Diggity” to remind homeowners and professional contractors across the country to always call 811 before starting any outdoor digging project.

The Common Ground Alliance, a national nonprofit organization working to protect underground utility lines, says damage to covered pipe and cable happens once every few minutes because of digging near unmarked utility lines. To help prevent damage, calling 811 is required before digging, including minor do-it-yourself home improvement projects like planting a tree or installing a fence or deck, as well as breaking ground on a major new building development. 

“Nothing is more important to us than ensuring the safe delivery of natural gas to our 4.3 million customers. But we can’t do it alone,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company Gas. “We are so thrilled that Chauncey of Blackstreet is partnering with us in this important effort. By leveraging such a creative remix to their song, we aim to educate more people about the importance of calling 811 before beginning any digging project.”

When homeowners and contractors call 811, it notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent – for free – to the requested dig site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, paint or both.

A homeowner using a shovel and a professional excavator using an earthmover are required by state law to call 811 at least three business days before starting any digging project. Calling 811 before digging on any property is the law.

Chattanooga Gas encourages homeowners and contractors to follow these safe digging guidelines and always dig with CARE:

Call Before You Dig: Before starting any outdoor digging project, customers should dial 811 at least three days in advance to request to have underground utility lines marked. Requests to have utility operators locate underground lines, including natural gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone and cable lines, can be made 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free.

Allow the Required Time for Marking: After contacting 811, wait for underground utility lines to be marked before digging. Locators will mark the approximate location of buried lines with color-coded spray paint, flags or stakes corresponding to the utility. The color used for natural gas is yellow.

Respect the Marks: Only use hand digging tools to carefully uncover the area around a utility line when you need to dig near location markers.

Excavate Carefully: Make sure the marks remain visible during the project. If the lines are damaged or removed, customers are encouraged to contact 811 to have lines remarked.

Every day, more Chattanooga residents are picking up the phone to call 811 before they dig.

They’re doing their part to reduce the risk of harmful incidents, expensive accidents, and natural gas outages for themselves and their neighbors.

Remember: Any residential project that involves digging, no matter how big or how small, requires a call to 811. In fact, it’s the law.

How 811 Works

It’s simple, really.

The few minutes it takes to call 811 before you dig could end up saving you hours of work and lots of money. Breaking natural gas lines can result in steep fines and unexpected costs, interrupting your project and causing long delays while repairs take place. Any residential project that involves digging, no matter how big or how small, requires a call to 811. In fact, it’s the law.

It takes less than two minutes. Call 811 at least three working days before you plan to dig. Provide your address, project type and approximate dig date. A dispatcher will determine whether or not you need to have your property checked for lines, and if so, schedule a marking window. Utility companies will be notified that your project site needs to be marked for safe digging.

Within three working days, utility companies will arrive to spray or flag your yard, allowing you to avoid problem areas where lines are present. Markers will use a wand that detects line locations without any alteration to your property. You’re not even required to be present while your project site is marked. If you end up getting busy and are unable to complete your digging before your marks fade, simply call 811 again and request a re-mark.

With your project site marked, you can confidently tackle your project without causing undue harm, unpleasant interruption or unwanted expense. Remember to remind your neighbors to call 811 before they dig, which will support a safe community and keep natural gas bills low for your entire neighborhood.

Prefer to schedule online over calling?

Request a marking by setting up an 811 account and e-ticket.

You’ll receive an email confirmation with information on when your marking will take place, how to prepare and what to expect next.

Safe Digging

Melanie, teaching gardening at East Brainerd

David, building a new fence in Woodmore

Hunter, spreading gravel on the South Side

Syeed, planting trees in Bella Vista

Chattanooga Gas reminds you to always call 811 and respect the marks before you dig.