Douglasville proclaims Aug. 11 as 811 Day to promote safe digging

Mayor Rochelle Robinson read a proclamation declaring Aug. 11, 2026, as the City of Douglasville’s 811 Day to raise awareness about safe digging and protecting underground infrastructure. The proclamation cites the Federal Communications Commission's 2005 designation of 811 as the national number for locating underground utility lines and encourages homeowners and contractors to contact 811 prior to digging.

Representatives from the Douglas County Utilities Coordinating Committee and Greystone Power attended. Bobby Chastain, who identified himself as working for Greystone Power, and Matthew Johnson, introduced as vice chair of the Douglas County UCC, spoke briefly about the locate process and what 811 covers. The mayor and presenters emphasized that public utilities (telephone, gas and other publicly owned infrastructure) are typically included on locate tickets while some private mains or irrigation lines may not be.

"I, Rochelle Robinson, mayor of the City Of Douglasville, along with the Douglasville city council, do hereby proclaim the day of 08/11/2026 as city of Douglasville's 8 1 1 day to promote awareness of safe digging practices and encourage all contractors and homeowners to contact 811 before digging to protect, protect lives, property, and our community's vital infrastructure so proclaimed this August 2026," Robinson read aloud during the ceremony.

Council members thanked the visitors for raising awareness and posed brief clarifying questions about which lines are covered by a locate ticket. The council took a group photograph with the proclamation recipients after the presentation.