Damage to vital underground utility lines is increasing across the country, turning essential energy sources into potential threats for homeowners and communities. In 2024 alone, over 83,000 reports of damage to gas and electrical lines were filed nationwide. A significant portion of these incidents, one in four, stemmed from individuals failing to contact 811 before beginning excavation, a service required by law designed to prevent such costly and dangerous errors. Common Ground Alliance data further indicates a growing trend, with more than half a million reports of damage to underground utilities at dig sites recorded in recent years.
The consequences of such incidents can be severe and immediate. Molly Krummenacher experienced this firsthand when she returned home to find her hot water heater and dryer on fire, with water spewing after an excavator struck her electric line. Krummenacher reported that the incident caused an electrical surge that turned neutral wires into live wires, resulting in an estimated $20,000 in damage. The excavation work was being performed by a subcontractor, USIC, hired by AT&T for fiber optic internet installation in the area. Krummenacher stated there was no flag or marking for the electrical line before the incident.
The 811 service offers a free, national connection to locate and mark underground utility lines, including gas, electric, water, sewer, and telecommunications infrastructure. Calling 811 is mandated by law before any digging project, regardless of size, from major construction to planting shrubs. Experts from the Common Ground Alliance emphasize that even when a contractor is performing the work, the responsibility to call 811 before digging ultimately falls to the resident.
The upward trend in utility damage is linked to a nationwide boom in construction and infrastructure upgrades. Sarah Magruder Lyle with the Common Ground Alliance notes that the incident rate is increasing with the amount of construction observed across the country. A major driver of this activity is the extensive installation of fiber optic internet. Magruder Lyle explained that the volume of fiber being placed underground currently far surpasses other infrastructure development. This constant and rapid change in underground infrastructure, combined with the sheer volume of new lines, makes accurate mapping and location a complex challenge.
The dangers associated with striking underground lines extend beyond property damage. Multiple home explosions in other regions have been directly linked to digging incidents, some resulting in fatalities. A 5-year-old was killed and his sister and father severely injured last year when their home exploded outside Kansas City, according to reports. The Common Ground Alliance data highlights that many locate requests are often late, missing, or inaccurate, with responsibility shared among those locating the lines, those digging, and those failing to initiate the locate request. Sarah Magruder Lyle with the Common Ground Alliance stated, "Not contacting 811 is a quarter of the incidents we see."
Preventing damage to underground utilities is possible, according to Magruder Lyle. Efforts are being made to strengthen laws, with Missouri, for example, requiring new utility lines to be buried with detectable location devices like tracer wire or locator tape. Magruder Lyle also stressed the need for advanced electronic geo-location mapping technology, stating that improved mapping is central to preventing incidents. For residents, paying attention to dig notices, paint markings, and flags in their area is crucial. Magruder Lyle advises that if markings are not visible, it is appropriate to ask for clarification, emphasizing proactive communication.
To help residents understand what these markings signify, Erik Phillips, vice president of operations for UtiliQuest, an organization that helps prevent utility line damages, clarified the standard color codes. Red paint or flags indicate electrical lines, orange marks phone lines, and yellow designates gas lines. Blue is used for water lines, while green signals sewer and storm drains.
In Molly Krummenacher's case, she reported receiving a "runaround" regarding responsibility until she contacted a news station, after which she received a call from USIC within two hours. USIC has since paid her insurance deductible, though Krummenacher expressed concern about potential future consequences, such as being dropped by her insurance for an incident beyond her control. She also reported that a neighbor’s home was affected by the same electrical surge. AT&T issued a statement acknowledging that they strive to minimize disruption for residents and take concerns about property damage seriously, confirming their contractor had reached out to resolve the homeowner's concerns. USIC did not provide comment and is facing a lawsuit from a homeowner in Glendale whose home exploded in August 2025.