JACKSON NEW MEMBER OF MISSOURI ONE CALL SYSTEM

JACKSON -- If you plan to do any digging in Jackson, don't forget to call 1-800-DIG-RITE first. That's the toll-free telephone number of Missouri One Call System Inc.

MOCS is a not-for-profit-organization that provides the one-stop, toll-free 800 number to expedite communications between the owners or operators of underground utility facilities and those who plan to dig, drill, or blast, so that the underground lines can be located and marked.

The city of Jackson, which owns and operates its own water, sewer and electrical utilities, earlier this month became one of the 114 MOCS member companies throughout Missouri.

The idea behind the affiliation with MOCS is to "promote safety, protect underground utility facilities, and provide uninterrupted customer service," said Jackson Public Works Director Mark Brown.

"Our water, sewer and electrical departments serve over 4,500 customers in the city. MOCS is for your protection and to help us avoid interruption of services to other utility customers."

Brown, who came to Jackson this year from west Tennessee, said the One Call System program has been in effect in Tennessee for more than 20 years.

"Everybody and anybody who's involved in public utilities has to be a member in Tennessee," Brown said. "It's only been in Missouri about seven years.

"When I arrived in Jackson, I found out we were not a member, although we have extensive underground public utility facilities that could be interrupted by digging or blasting."

Brown said Missouri law requires that anyone who plans excavation of any kind on public or private property must notify the owners or operators of underground public utility facilities, such as underground water, sewer, or natural gas lines, and buried electrical or telephone cables.

"The law applies to anyone who plans to dig -- whether you work for a contractor on a backhoe, or an individual digging a post hole for a mail box, Missouri law requires you to notify the owners and operators of all underground public utilities in the area," Brown said.

He said one toll-free call to MOCS simplifies the process because the one call serves as a notification to all MOCS members who have underground facilities in the area - in this case, the city of Jackson - so that the locations can be marked.

"The call is free; the locating service is free. MOCS members pay for both. All the individual or contractor has to do is make the call," said Brown.

A word of caution: underground facility owners and operators who aren't MOCS members must still be notified by people planning to dig.

"We ask that homeowners and/or contractors call the MOCS number at least two days before they plan to dig or excavate so that the underground facilities can be marked," he said.

"That one toll-free call could save your life by keeping you from hitting an underground electrical cable or natural gas line, as well as prevent costly and unnecessary damage to our underground lines. The bottom line is: if you don't call, don't dig."

Brown said all city-owned vehicles will soon have MOCS bumper stickers with the MOCS logo and toll-free, 800 number, as a reminder to "call before you dig."

Brown said anyone who has additional questions about MOCS should contact the public works department at 243-2300.