Nearly 240 disciplinary actions were filed across the state in November for unsafe digging practices- including two in Butler County.
The first local violation occurred in April of 2020 when Pennsylvania American Water was hand digging using a probing tool to find a water leak in the 100 block of Mellon Street in Butler Township. A pinhole was poked into a 4 inch Peoples Gas line. Pennsylvania American Water was fined $500 for using incorrect excavating techniques.
The second local violation occurred in May of 2020 when Pride Masonry was excavating in the 600 block of Chilliwack Lane in Mars Borough. A 4 inch plastic main line belonging to Peoples Gas was struck. Pride Masonry was fined $1,500 for excavating without a One Call Ticket as well as failure to comply with requests for information.
The PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee is tasked with reducing the number of hits on underground utilities. This committee is part of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement.
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call by dialing 8-1-1 at least three business days before an excavation so utilities can mark where lines are located.
