Underground Utility Damage Prevention

Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act

The purpose of the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act is to prevent harm to people, property, and underground utility facilities. The provisions of the Act are codified in Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-101 et al. The Tennessee Public Utility Commission’s role is to assist the Underground Utility Damage Enforcement Board by providing administrative and investigative support. For more information, click here.



When Damage Occurs to Underground Utility Facilities

• Each person responsible for damage which results in the escape of flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid must, immediately upon discovery, notify the operator, police, and fire departments through the 911 service or other emergency communications system, submit a damage notice to the on-call service, and take other actions reasonably necessary to protect persons and property and to minimize the hazards until arrival of the operator’s personnel or police and fire departments.



• Each person responsible for any excavation or demolition operation described in Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-31-104 that results in damage to an underground utility must, immediately upon discovery of such damage, submit a damage notice to the one-call service, notify the operator/utility of the location and nature of the damage and must allow the operator/utility reasonable time to accomplish necessary repairs before completing the excavation or demolition in the immediate area of such utility.

• Operators whose utility facilities have been damaged, must report the incident using the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) utilized by the Common Ground Alliance or by filing a damage notice with the one-call service.

• Anyone who has experienced or witnessed a probable violation of Tenn. Code Ann. §65-31-101 et al. may file a complaint with the Tennessee Public Utility Commission or by calling 615-741-2904. In order to ensure timely investigations, complaints must be filed within ninety (90) days of being made aware of an alleged violation of the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act.