Locates? LOCATES?!.."I don't care about no stinking' LOCATES!

A Norman, Oklahoma caterer wanted to fix up his new house and to entertain University of Oklahoma clients.  Roger planned to hold back the Great Plains wind and screen his place from the noise and bustle of Interstate Route 35 traffic. He asked his geologist neighbor, John, to help him build him build a nice wood fence.  John said, "Sure Thing!" and they fell to the task with enthusiasm.

The fence line went on the opposite side of a new sidewalk from another, as yet undeveloped, paved and curbed road in the subdivision. They had a power auger and popped out about forty post holes. Every so-often, they hit what felt like a root. John said, "I think its a hard silt layer", and they dug ahead without much any more concern.

That afternoon, the local phone company was looking in the line of holes. With an uneasy feeling, John went over to see what was happening.  The foreman said, "Someone just cut our fiber-optic cable in 30 places". John knew how expensive these cables could be and apologized profusely, saying, "It's all my fault, I thought it was hard pan". The foreman knew that he had his guy, but let John off.  Roger and he didn't have to pay for the broken cable.

This happened many years ago, before other drilling experiences drove home the same lesson. Know where to dig.  Call 811, first and use Locates Services if you can. You will save embarrassment, your money and  possibly, your life.

A Public Service Link
http://www.call811.com/how-811-works/safe-digging.aspx