Gotta Dig? Gotta Call!” Virginia Natural Gas reminds customers to contact VA811 during safe digging month

Visit VA811.com or dial 811 three days before you plan to dig. It’s free, easy and it’s the law!

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – April 1, 2026 – As warmer weather draws customers outdoors for spring projects, Virginia Natural Gas reminds homeowners, contractors and professional excavators to call 811 before digging. April is National Safe Digging Month and calling 811 helps protect people, property and the underground fuel infrastructure that serves Hampton Roads communities.

Before starting projects like installing a fence or mailbox, planting trees or putting in a pool, customers should always Dig with C.A.R.E.:

Call before you dig. Contact 811 or visit VA811.com at least three business days before digging, excluding the day of the notice. Requests should be placed no more than 10 days prior to excavation.

Allow time for marking. Utility companies will mark the approximate location of underground lines using color‑coded paint, flags or stakes. Yellow markings indicate natural gas lines.

Respect the marks. Use hand tools only when digging near marked utility lines.

Excavate carefully. Keep markings visible throughout the project. If marks are disturbed or fade, contact 811 to request a re‑mark. If a natural gas line is damaged or you smell the distinctive rotten‑egg odor, leave the area immediately and call 911 and Virginia Natural Gas from a safe location.

Contacting VA811 is free and required by Virginia law. There is no charge to have underground utility lines marked and the call helps reduce injuries, service interruptions and costly property damage.

Customer pre‑marking required
Before submitting a locate request, customers must pre‑mark the area of proposed excavation using white paint, flags, chalk or approved electronic white lining options when available. In some cases, a clear and precise verbal description of the excavation area may be accepted.

Protecting Virginia communities
Virginia Natural Gas operates and maintains an extensive underground natural gas system across Hampton Roads. In addition to natural gas lines, properties may also contain underground electric, communications, water and sewer lines. Knowing what’s below before digging helps keep neighborhoods safe and connected.

For more information about natural gas safety and safe digging practices, visit virginianaturalgas.com/safety or VA811.com.

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About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies under Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Serving more than 310,000 customers in southeast Virginia, the company celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025. Ranked as a Most Trusted Utility Brand by Escalent, Virginia Natural Gas is committed to resilient and sustainable fuel solutions that meet the growing needs of customers, communities and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of America’s premier energy companies. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and more than 600,000 retail customers through its natural gas marketing businesses. The company also invests in interstate pipelines, provides asset management for natural gas wholesale customers, and owns and operates natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

Media Contact:
Morgan Chase
Office: 757-616-7510 | Cell: 757-725-6916
mchase@southernco.com | https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/news/press-releases.html