For safety's sake, it's against state law to dig a hole more than 1 foot deep without notifying utility companies (CALL: 811) at least 2 days in advance.
Really. It’s right there in the “Revised Code of Washington, 19.122”.
OK, why does this program exist? It protects you from being injured if you hit an underground power line, and protects your neighbors from losing power.
In a nutshell, you need to contact the Utilities Underground Locate Center at least 2 working days before you plan to start digging. They have a toll free number to make it easy: (800) 424-5555.
When you call, make sure you’re ready to tell them what you’re going to do, the location of your project, and your contact information.
Hitting Underground Power Lines Can Be Shockingly Expensive
Imagine this: you’re digging and hit underground utilities. Your work causes damage.
At the very least, you could be responsible for paying the cost of fixing things. If you were digging without calling for someone to come locate the utilities damages could be triple!
You should contact us as soon as possible if you hit an underground power line while digging.
- (360) 426-8255, Shelton
- (360) 275-2833, Belfair
If you will be digging a trench, be sure to check out our trenching specs and requirements (PDF).
How It Works
- Call 811 from anywhere in the county a few days prior to digging and your call will automatically be routed to the local one call center.
- You'll give the operator information about how to contact you, where you are planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing. Your quick conversation with the operator will last a few minutes.
- Utility companies who have potential facilities in the area of your dig site will be notified about your intent to dig.
- Each affected utility company (including the PUD) will send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground utility lines. This typically occurs within 2-3 working days.
- Wait the required amount of time for affected utility operators to respond to your request.
- Confirm that all affected utility operators have responded to your request and marked underground utilities.
- Respect the marks.
- Dig carefully around the marks with care.
Keep in Mind That Not Everything Gets Located
Remember, PUD 3 customers own their own underground service wire, however the PUD's locator will locate the service wire up to the meter. Sometimes there are other service wires that are installed on the property that the PUD is unaware of. Some of the services the PUD's locator will not locate include:
- Customer owned underground secondary/service wires beyond the meter
- Outdoor lighting wires
- Low voltage wires
- Communication wires (cable, phone, CAT5, etc.)
- Well water pipes, irrigation lines, and septic systems
- Gas or propane lines
This interactive map may help to visualize the line of responsibility for locating underground utilities.
The property owner is responsible for requesting private locates for the purpose of locating all private utilities on the property, and the subsequent removal of all obstacles. A partial list of private utility locators (PDF) that perform work in Mason County is available. There is also a full state-wide list (PDF) from Washington 811.
Here’s the Legal Stuff
The Revised Code of Washington, 19.122, requires that persons contact the Utilities Underground Locate Center ((800) 424-5555) 2 working days (48 hours) in advance of excavation on PUD 3's property or public agency right-of-way. The law defines excavation as: "…any operation in which earth, rock or other material on or below the ground is moved or otherwise displaced by any means, except the tilling of soil less than 12 inches in depth for agricultural purposes, or road and ditch maintenance that does not change the original road grade or ditch flow line."
We are Mason County's power supply experts. We can help you meet your energy needs - safely.
For some households with equipment that provides medical support, it may be essential to have a generator available, or a plan in place if they are without electricity for an extended period of time.
If you’re thinking about installing a generator for backup power at your home or business, call us. We can provide advice on picking out the right size generator, and how to use it safely.
It’s important to know the do's and don'ts when using your home generator.
You should also take some time to find out how big a generator you may need.
Do I Need a Generator?
Compared to other utilities, PUD 3 is very reliable. In fact, we’re a “Reliable Public Power Provider,” as named by the American Public Power Association. Our Diamond rating is the highest.
However, some people may want a generator as an extra level of confidence they can still have the convenience that electricity provides. Even more important, some of our customer’s lives and livelihood depend on a constant source of electricity.
Here are some of the common reasons that someone buys a generator:
Medical Equipment
Someone in your household relies on electrically-powered medical support equipment located in your home, such as a respirator or kidney dialysis machine.
Private Wells & Sump Pumps
Your water comes from a private system. Without electricity, you have no water, or your sewer or septic system requires a pump to operate.
Computer Systems
You want to ensure that you won't lose any data if electrical power is interrupted. Your business has a complex system that takes a long time to bring up after a power interruption.
Communications
Your phone system requires electricity or your business requires 24-hour-a-day fax machine availability for receiving orders or communicating with clients.
Cash Registers
You own a store that has no way to check out customers unless the electronic cash registers are working.
Disaster Preparedness
You're preparing your household for severe storms or earthquakes and would like to have electricity available in an emergency.
Farming & Ranching
Your farm or ranch requires electricity to operate critical fans, pumps, or milking machines.
How Big of a Generator Should I Get?
How big of a generator do you need? That depends on how many lights and accessories you want to keep running when the lights go out.
- Generators are rated in watts. Begin by adding up the number of watts you need to feed and then factor in at least 50 percent more.
- The wattage is listed on just about every electrical appliance in your house, although you may have to look behind the refrigerator or under the microwave to find it.
- Here's what most people would consider a minimum survival package:
- Select lights in your home: 200 watts
- Furnace & fan motor: 2,000 watts
- Refrigerator: 750 watts
- Freezer: 850 watts
- TV: 100 watts
- Coffee maker: 800 watts
- Total: 4,700 watts
Note: Double the wattage listed on motors to accommodate the power draw during start up.
The Dos & Don'ts of Generator Safety
Do's
- Let us know that that you have a generator.
- Follow the operating instruction manual.
- Follow the National Electrical Code requirements for installing your generator and transfer switch.
- Operate a generator outside, in a well-ventilated area. The exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is deadly if you let it build up in your house or garage.
- Store your fuel properly.
Don'ts
- Don't connect a back-up generator to the main system of a home or business without a UL-listed, permanently installed, double throw transfer switch. The transfer switch keeps your generator from sending power back through the utility grid and endangering the lives of those repairing power lines. The transfer switch protects your generator from damage when power is restored.
- Don't refuel a hot engine if your generator burns gasoline or diesel oil. Spilled fuel on a hot muffler can be disastrous.
- Don't use an undersized extension cord. A cord that is not heavy enough can damage equipment you are operating and cause a fire hazard. Both the length and diameter of wire affect its ability to carry an electrical load. The longer the extension cord and the larger the electrical load, the larger the diameter of the wire must be. If you have any questions, get professional help from an electrician or qualified supplier who can size the cord to match the equipment you want to operate.
Customers should ensure they have equipment in place to protect motors and electronics from occasional power surges and low voltage events.
Motor Protection
Many businesses, industrial and large commercial customers, even a few homes, have what is known as “three-phase” service. They need electricity, and lots of it.
Customers with big power needs should make sure they have equipment in place to protect three-phase motors, such as those found in large well pumps.
Without protection, these motors could be damaged if partial power occurs. One protective device required by the National Electric Code is a single phasing, reverse phasing, or low voltage protector. This protection can be accomplished through the installation of a simple, solid-state apparatus.
Check with an electrician for more information.
Surge Protection
These days, it seems that just about any home electronics need to have some form of surge protection. Occasional power surges last only a fraction of a second, but without proper protection, your electronic equipment could be damaged.
The PUD strongly recommends that you use surge protection for all equipment that could be damaged by temporary voltage surges.
What causes a surge in power? There are lots of things including, lightning strikes; a big power user turning high voltage equipment on and off; trees falling across multiple power lines, causing them to momentarily touch; even static electricity in the home can scramble some of the more sensitive equipment.
The most common home electronic products that need protection are computers, televisions, DVD players, stereo equipment, garage door openers, satellite receivers, home security systems, cordless phones, and microwaves and. The owner’s manual will normally let you know if you should use a surge protector.
Some surge protectors offer replacement coverage for equipment damaged while properly plugged into them.
Give us a call if you have any questions.