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Every day, New Braunfels Utilities delivers electric, water and wastewater service through thousands of miles of infrastructure—much of it hidden underground. 

Most people never think about what’s beneath the surface until something goes wrong. 

A contractor installing a fence clips an electric line. A homeowner planting a tree strikes a water main. An irrigation project damages a wastewater line. What starts as a routine digging project can quickly become a safety hazard, interrupt utility service and require emergency repairs. 

That’s why Aug. 11, National 811 Day, is an important reminder: Always contact 811 before digging. 

Submitting a free 811 request before breaking ground allows utility owners to mark the approximate location of underground facilities so they can be avoided during excavation. It’s one of the simplest ways to help protect the infrastructure that keeps homes, businesses and critical community services operating every day. 

Small projects can have big consequences. Many utility line strikes happen during routine residential projects, not large construction jobs. Installing a mailbox. Planting trees. Building a fence. Adding a patio. Digging for landscape lighting or an irrigation system. 

When underground infrastructure is hit, the impacts can extend well beyond a single property. Customers may lose electric or water service. Emergency crews may need to respond. Repairs can delay projects, increase costs and divert crews from other work across the community. 

NBU maintains an extensive network of underground electric, water and wastewater infrastructure that serves tens of thousands of customers throughout New Braunfels. That system is designed to provide reliable service every day, but preventing damage is just as important as maintaining it. 

Calling 811 before digging helps reduce avoidable utility outages, protects critical infrastructure and allows crews to focus on planned maintenance and system improvements instead of emergency repairs. Whether you’re hiring a contractor or tackling a weekend project yourself, taking a few minutes to request utility locates is a simple step that benefits the entire community.