Know What’s Below Before You Dig
Today is August 11, observed nationwide as National 811 Day. It is a annual reminder that safe digging isn’t just a best practice for major construction crews. It is a legal requirement for everyday homeowners tackling routine weekend projects.
If your upcoming home improvements involve putting a shovel, trowel, or post-hole digger into the ground, a quick, free notification to 811 is your mandatory first step.
Why 811 matters to your home and Wi-Fi
A single misplaced strike with a shovel can slice cleanly through underground utilities. For a modern household, a severed fiber cable means an immediate loss of your high-speed internet, smart home security, and Wi-Fi connection.
Beyond the major inconvenience of losing connectivity, digging without a ticket introduces significant financial risk. RiverStreet charges a standard fee of $249 if an underground line is cut or damaged on a property without a prior, active 811 request.
The state-by-state breakdown
The 811 process is free, simple, and tailored to your local area. Depending on where you live in the RiverStreet service footprint, make sure you follow these specific guidelines:
- North Carolina Residents: Reach out to NC811 at least 3 full business days prior to digging. Wait for all utilities to respond through the Positive Response System (PRN) before starting.
- Virginia Residents: File your request with VA811 at least 48 hours in advance (with the clock beginning at 7:00 a.m. the following business day). Check the Positive Response System (WebTM) to confirm all utilities are marked or cleared before you begin.
Once marked, always respect the flags and paint line boundaries.
Your partner in local safety
At RiverStreet, reliability is the core of what we do. We invest heavily in underground fiber infrastructure to provide our region with top-tier connectivity. By taking a few moments to contact 811 before every project, you help us protect that network and keep your community moving forward.