Columbia Gas of Virginia is reminding homeowners and professionals to contact VA811 before any outdoor digging projects this April, in observance of National Safe Digging Month.

Aug. 11 is a day the not-for-profit agency VA811 uses as a reminder to ensure the practice of safe digging in our communities. 811 Day is an annual initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, echoed in communities by calling 8-1-1, a nationwide toll-free number, before any excavation project. In fact, 8/11 Day has been designated as an important annual date and enacted into Virginia law by the Virginia General AssemblyVirginia Today anchors Jenna Zibton, Rachel Lucas, Patrick McKee and Meteorologist Chris Michaels with an 811 Day cake. When contacting 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to Virginia811 - the local one-call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. According to VA811, every few minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811.