Katy and Fulshear homeowners planning late-summer fence repairs, landscaping or tree planting need to dial 811 at least three business days before breaking ground. The call is free. It's also required by Texas law regardless of how shallow the project.

Explorer Pipeline President and CEO Mark Hurley issued the reminder on National 811 Day, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. In a press release published by The Katy News, Hurley said the single phone call "can prevent a dangerous and expensive mistake."

The stakes are real. Buried utility damages across the country hit a record high in 2025, according to the Common Ground Alliance's annual DIRT report. Failure to call 811 remains the No. 1 cause of utility strikes nationwide, and the damage isn't limited to backhoes. Shovels rank as the second most common tool involved.

Texas alone logged more than 4.6 million locate requests in 2024, a 7.25% jump from 2023.

How the process works

After a homeowner dials 811 or submits a request at call811.com, professional locators are dispatched to the site, typically within two business days. They mark the approximate location of underground water, gas, electric and telecom lines using color-coded flags, paint or both.

Diggers must stay outside the marked tolerance zone, generally 18 to 24 inches on either side of a utility line. Hand tools only within that buffer. All markings must stay in place until the project is finished.

Even a minor scrape to a pipeline's protective coating can create future problems, according to Explorer Pipeline. If a line is nicked, scraped or exposed, work must stop immediately and the utility owner must be contacted for inspection.

Recognizing a pipeline emergency

Unusual odors, visible vapor clouds, or hissing and roaring sounds near a pipeline are warning signs. Anyone who notices these should leave the area immediately and call 911.

Explorer Pipeline operates an 1,872-mile refined petroleum products system running from Port Arthur to the upper Midwest, with the Houston area among its major service points. More safe digging information is available at expl.com/Safety/Call-Before-You-Dig.

Explorer Pipeline's 24-hour emergency line is (888) 876-0036.