Survey Finds 46% of Americans Plan to Dig Without Calling 811, Risking Utility Disruptions, Hazards

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In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Common Ground Alliance has announced results from a recent national survey which found 27.2 million Americans planning digging projects in the next year will not contact 811, putting themselves and their communities at risk. Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can lead to service outages, costly fines and repairs, and even serious injury or death. Accidentally striking gas, electric, communications, water or sewer lines can cause significant disruptions to homes and businesses. A free 811 request is available by calling 811 or submitting a ticket online. A dig request … Read more

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2025 CGA Conference & Expo Opens Registration Nov. 6

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Registration for the Common Ground Alliance’s 2025 Conference & Expo will officially open Nov. 6. Attendees will come together to commemorate a quarter century of CGA and will be “looking forward to looking back” on the progress achieved. The CGA Conference & Expo will take place April 7-10 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida. The conference, the world’s largest underground damage prevention event, brings together industry experts and decision-makers for a week of collaboration to address the top issues associated with underground utility damage and the innovative solutions to protect them. Conference attendees will engage in educational and … Read more

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New Report Underscores Progress, Challenges in Preventing Damages to Buried Utilities

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The Common Ground Alliance, the national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities, published its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool Report. The report introduces the CGA Index, a new metric for evaluating year-over-year damage trends, which revealed both progress and a critical need for accelerated action to prevent damage to vital underground infrastructure. The annual DIRT Report provides a comprehensive analysis of damages to buried infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada to help stakeholders understand the damage landscape and the factors contributing to underground facility damages. In its inaugural year, … Read more

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2025 CGA Conference & Expo Call for Proposals Now Open

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Common Ground Alliance has opened its Call for Proposals for the 2025 CGA Conference & Expo. CGA is seeking session proposals from industry professionals and subject matter experts to facilitate solutions-driven discussions and formulate decisive actions that can be implemented to reduce damages to underground utilities. The deadline to submit is Oct. 16. The conference and expo will take place April 7-10 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. It will bring together experts and decision-makers for a week of collaboration to address the top issues associated with underground utility damage. Key topic areas of interest to CGA members and conference … Read more

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Common Ground Alliance, Gold Shovel Association Explore Efforts to Take Damage Prevention to Next Level

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Common Ground Alliance and the Gold Shovel Association will explore establishing a new arm of CGA that will integrate GSA into the organization in a continued and combined effort to reduce damages to critical underground infrastructure, as well as protect those who work and live near these important assets. The collective industry commitment of both associations is expected to further the ongoing, common focus on lowering damages, and will provide an opportunity to take damage prevention to the next level. Building on CGA’s Best Practices and foundational Damage Information Reporting Tool data, and GSA’s metrics development, this newly created branch … Read more

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