Remember JULIE? That’s the outfit that can save you a lot of trouble if you are planning to dig up some ground around your home. Like for some bushes or trees. Fences or fountains. Swing sets or sign posts. Mail boxes or room additions. Decks, patios or green houses.

JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) is a not-for-profit organization that provides you a central information source for locating and marking underground electric, water, sewer, telecommunications or gas lines that you might dig into unknowingly when you break ground for any project requiring excavation.

Actually, checking with JULIE is a matter of law. But, of course, the real reason to call ahead of any digging you plan to do is to avoid damaging losses and personal injury.

The best part is that the search service is free to you and

is promptly done. The law requires that the person doing the digging must call JULIE at least two full working days beforebeginning and must start digging within two weeks of when the call was made.

Within two working days of your call, they will come out and mark the facilities they own; they are not required to mark privately owned or installed lines or facilities such as water, sewer, electric or gas lines going to a garage, workshop, pool, fountain or other structures.

The number to call is 811 or (800) 892-0123, either for more information or to initiate an inspection of your property.

For professional advice on how to proceed, contact your licensed professional plumbing contractor or visit www.PAMCANI.org for more information.