SDG&E Cautions Homeowners, Contractors to Call Before Digging

Business Wire, June 4, 1999

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1999--

As the weather gets warmer and homeowners begin renovation projects, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) officials are asking customers to call a toll-free number before they dig to avoid rupturing underground natural gas or electrical lines.

By calling DigAlert at 800/227-2600, customers will have their underground service lines "marked out" by SDG&E with paint and stakes so they can dig without hitting the lines. The free service will be provided within two working days of the call.

"This is the time of year that many people dig to install irrigation systems, swimming pools, room additions, and fence posts," said Mike Lavach, safety, health & emergency services manager for SDG&E. "By making a simple, free telephone call, homeowners and contractors can avoid personal injury and costly property damage, as well as any service interruptions."

Once all lines are marked, customers should carefully use only hand-digging tools within two feet of the "mark-outs" to avoid cutting into underground lines and pipes.

Although SDG&E receives more than 97,000 mark-out requests annually, there are about 500 incidents per year when customers or contractors dig into underground gas and electric lines, causing disrupted gas or electric service.

The call to DigAlert also will notify water, sewer, telephone, cable television, fiber optics and oil companies that their lines need to be "marked out" as well.

SDG&E is a public utility that provides service to 3 million consumers through 1.2 million electric meters and 720,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.