News Releases

2024 trends report found more people are digging – and more instances of digging-related damage

ST. LOUIS (April 8, 2025) – Ameren Missouri is urging customers to call 811 and practice safe digging after 2024 saw a statewide increase in reported utility line damages, according to Missouri 811. While routine tickets for planned excavation activities accounted for a majority of requests, there was also a steady rise in construction and infrastructure projects across Missouri, as indicated by a record number of locate requests.

“These stats tell us that more Missourians are digging, whether for residential or commercial projects,” said Pam Harrison, senior director of gas operations for Ameren Missouri. “The rise in damages, however, is a critical reminder of how easily accidents can occur if you don’t have utilities marked at least three days before you dig.”

Calling 811 is the law – and it is a free service. This action not only protects individuals but entire communities. Hitting a buried line while digging can be expensive to repair, and it can disrupt utility service and even cause serious injury or death.

Preventing Damage and Ensuring Safety When Digging

Follow these three crucial steps to comply with the law and stay safe:

1. Call 811 or visit Missouri-811.org at least three business days before starting a digging project. Requests can be made at no cost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Wait for professional locators to come out and mark natural gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone and cable lines. The approximate location of buried utilities will be marked with paint and flags. Each utility type corresponds to a specific color of paint and flag (yellow for natural gas and red for electric), and all of them must be marked before you dig.
3. Proceed with caution once the site has been clearly marked. Avoid digging within the 24-inch tolerance zone of each utility mark. It is important to use the appropriate tools and follow safe digging practices. If digging within the tolerance zone cannot be avoided, digging must be completed by hand.

No Digging Project is Too Small
“One common reason people don’t call 811 is because they think their digging project doesn’t go deep enough to put them at risk of striking a utility line, but many are closer to the surface than people realize,” said Randy L. Norden, executive director of Missouri 811. “Lines can also shift due to erosion and root growth, so even if you remember where your lawn was marked from a previous project, you could still be at risk of causing an accident.”

Nationwide, the leading cause of underground utility line incidents is due to a failure to make the free call to 811 before breaking ground on a project. If you hit a natural gas line while digging, immediately stop activities, move to a safe location and call 911, Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583, and 811 to report the damage. Do not use anything that could generate a spark, or attempt to repair, shut down or backfill any damaged lines.

To learn more about safe digging, visit Missouri-811.org.

About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.