​Washington, D.C. (August 9, 2018) – This Saturday, 8/11, serves as a reminder for all customers and contractors to call 811 before digging so utility-owned underground lines can be identified and marked. While incidents of damage to Pepco's electric system have been reduced by 34 percent since 2014, an underground utility line is damaged every six minutes nationwide.

The Common Ground Alliance, the national association that promotes the 811phone number and safe digging practices, reminds everyone that striking an underground electric or natural gas line can cause serious injury, damages and service interruptions. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects where a call to 811 should be one of the first steps.

Pepco has nearly 7,400 circuit miles of underground electric lines. Aside from Pepco's lines, there are underground communications cables, water and sewer lines, and other utilities. Properly locating underground lines is essential to safely completing any digging job.

Pepco is committed to promoting safe digging practices and each year conducts outreach to thousands of contractors and excavators across Maryland and the District of Columbia to share safe digging tips and best practices.

When calling 811 at least two business days prior to digging, customers and contractors are connected to the Maryland and Washington, D.C. One Call to provide information about their project. One Call will notify Pepco and all member utilities of your plan to dig. The utilities will then mark their underground facilities.

Once lines are located, excavators also must understand the markings and look for evidence of unmarked lines, such as water and sewer lines on private property. Sewer clean-outs and water valve covers are examples of equipment that can indicate the presence of underground lines.

Pepco joins the Exelon family of companies in recognizing National Call Before You Dig Day and is a member of the Common Ground Alliance to share best practices to promote safe excavation and lower instances of damage to underground lines.

For more information on safe digging practices visit Pepco's website.

To learn more, readers are encouraged to visit The Source, Pepco's online news room. Find additional information about Pepco by visiting www.pepco.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.pepco.com/mobileapp.

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 About Pepco: Pepco, a public utility owned by Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 842,000 electric delivery customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia. ​