Are you planning a big home improvement project? Installing a new fence or deck? Or just doing some landscaping like planting a tree or digging a few holes for new shrubs? Whether you’re planning to do it yourself or hire a professional, call 811 before each job. You should know the location of all natural gas and electric lines before you spring into any type of project that involves excavating in the yard.

Homeowners and property owners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should go to the trouble of getting their utility lines marked. However, the depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Therefore, every digging job (regardless of depth) involves risks to your health and to your wallet. Digging without calling can disrupt service to your home or to an entire neighborhood not to mention harming you and those around you and potentially result in shocking fines and costly repairs. Go to the Call 811 website.

So the next time your project involves a big dig, first locate CPS Energy electric and natural gas lines, as well as cable and phone lines, by calling 811. Allow 48 hours for locating before excavating (2 working days). It's the law.

To locate underground water lines, call the San Antonio Water System at 704-SAWS.

For additional information or to schedule FREE safety programs for your employees, call CPS Energy at 353-2970.