The Greer Commission of Public Works (CPW) is inviting residents to come get the scoop on calling 811 before you dig at Wild Ace Pizza (103 Depot St.) this Wednesday, April 1.
The state law requiring excavators to call or click 811 at least 3 full working days before digging is changing in May 2026. The South Carolina Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act will include more than 70 changes to the law, with the most impactful being the amount of fines imposed by the Attorney General’s office.
With these new changes, Greer CPW, South Carolina 811 and Wild Ace Pizza are teaming up to educate both customers and contractors about the importance of calling 8-1-1 before you dig. From 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, attendees learn more about utility color codes, the state law that requires you to call 811 and talk with utility locating professionals. In addition to free ice cream and pizza for guests, iHeart Media’s Bill Ellis will be live on WSSL 100.5. There will also be educational coloring sheets and age-appropriate giveaways for the kids.
“Last year, we had more than 172-thousand dollars in gas line damages caused by homeowners and 3rd party contractors, so we hope to educate the public while treating them to pizza, ice cream and other fun giveaways,” said Alison Rauch, Public Information Coordinator with the CPW.
April is Safe Digging Month, and Greer CPW notes the importance of the message of safe digging while landscaping, installing pools and trees are top of mind for many homeowners. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig number that alerts utilities that you intend to dig at a specific address. Locators are dispatched for free to mark underground utility lines.
“If anyone is planning to install any of these items above, we need them to attend our event and learn why it’s so important to have underground utility lines marked,” said Misty Wise, SC 811 Executive Director.
