A total of 214 disciplinary actions were filed across the state in December for unsafe digging practices- including four in Butler County.
The first local violation occurred nearly a year ago in March of 2019 when Utility Solutions Midwest Division was drilling too close to an 8-inch sanitation sewer collection line owned by Cranberry Township. The lines had been marked correctly. The excavators were fined $500.
A second violation also occurred in March in Cranberry Township when an unmarked water line was struck by West Penn Utilities while they were installing a line for Comcast along Route 19. Amerigas Propane was fined $1,000 as a result of not responding to tickets. Consolidated Communications was also fined $500 for not responding to a ticket.
The third violation also occurred in Cranberry Township a month later when an unmarked Columbia Gas line was struck by a West Penn Utilities crew installing conduit for Comcast. Amerigas Propane received a fine of $3,500 while Columbia was issued a $1,000 fine.
The last incident also occurred in April along Route 19 in Cranberry Township when contractor Utility Solutions struck a sewer force main line. The Township was issued a $500 fine for failure to locate the line.
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.
