Before You Plant, Build, or Break Ground: Southwest Gas Urges Residents and Contractors to Contact 811

Ahead of National 811 Day, free 811 requests help prevent avoidable damage to underground utilities


PHOENIX, AZ (August 4, 2026) – From planting a tree to installing a fence or upgrading irrigation, a successful project starts with knowing what’s below before digging begins. Ahead of National 811 Day on August 11, Southwest Gas is reminding homeowners, renters, and contractors to contact 811 before breaking ground on any project to help prevent injuries, property damage, service outages, and damage to underground utility lines.


National 811 Day on August 11 is an annual public awareness day focused on safe digging. Contacting 811 or submitting an online request at call811.com at least two working days before digging allows utility-owned underground lines to be marked at no cost before work begins. This helps prevent damage to natural gas, electric, water, and other essential services.


In 2025, Southwest Gas processed approximately 980,000 requests to have underground utility lines marked across its service territory, and companywide damage to underground natural gas infrastructure decreased 4.5 percent compared to 2024. Even with that progress, homeowners who began digging projects without first contacting 811 accounted for the largest share of damage to underground natural gas lines across Southwest Gas’ service territories, with the majority of those incidents involving hand tools. The data highlights why contacting 811 before digging is an important step for projects of any size.


Before digging, Southwest Gas encourages residents and contractors to:


  • Hand dig carefully within two feet of newly marked lines
  • Use blunt tools like rounded shovels to avoid puncturing lines
  • Watch for soil changes or unexpected materials that may signal proximity to a utility line
  • Verify line depth and location, don’t rely on assumptions or old markings


Southwest Gas also offers free damage-prevention training across its service territory to contractors, landscapers, plumbers, municipalities, and homeowners. The training covers state-specific excavation requirements, safe digging best practices, how to work around marked lines, and what to do in the event of a suspected line strike. More information is available at swgas.com/damage-prevention-training.


Know the Signs of a Natural Gas Leak

If you damage or suspect damage to a natural gas line, even if you are not a Southwest Gas customer, leave the area immediately and from a safe location call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020.


A natural gas leak may be detected by:

•       A strong odor, similar to sulfur or rotten eggs

•       A hissing or roaring sound near the ground or appliances

•       Blowing dirt, bubbling water, or unexplained dead vegetation


For more information about safe digging practices, visit swgas.com/dig-safe. For more information about natural gas safety, visit swgas.com/safety.


About Southwest Gas

Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of our over two million customers throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada by providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while innovating sustainable energy solutions to fuel our communities’ growth. For more information about how Southwest Gas is supporting a sustainable energy future, please visit www.swgas.com. 

Back-to-School: Southwest Gas Partners with Schools, Colleges, and Nonprofits to Open Doors for the Next Generation

September 9, 2026
Programs help students build skills, explore careers, and prepare for the future PHOENIX — Across Southwest Gas’ service territory in Arizona, the company and the Southwest Gas Foundation are partnering with schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to support students through essential resources, hands-on learning, safety education, mentorship, scholarships, and career training. “Our employees live and work in the communities we serve, so supporting local schools and programs is personal to us,” said Justin Brown, President and CEO of Southwest Gas. “By working alongside trusted partners, we can help students feel better prepared, explore their interests, and see greater possibilities for their future.” Programs and partnerships across Southwest Gas’ service territory in Arizona include: · Arizona Educational Foundation’s (AEF) teachSTEM Program Since 2024, the Southwest Gas Foundation has supported the AEF’s teachSTEM program. The program provides educators with hands-on STEM training, resources, and mentorship, while inspiring students to explore and pursue STEM careers. The program has reached more than 5,000 students, 78% of whom attend Title I schools. · Energy Safe Kids with the National Energy Foundation (NEF) For nearly 30 years, Southwest Gas has partnered with the NEF to promote energy education and safety awareness in schools. Through the Energy Safe Kids program, elementary and middle school teachers receive curriculum that helps students recognize and respond to a suspected natural gas leak, identify natural gas appliances and pipeline markers, and understand the importance of calling 811 before digging. Last year, 130 schools throughout Southwest Gas’ service territory used the program. · Girls in STEM at the Arizona Science Center The Southwest Gas Foundation has supported the Arizona Science Center’s Girls in STEM program since 2021. This initiative introduces girls in grades 4-8 to science and engineering through hands-on activities and mentorship. These experiences help students explore STEM concepts and envision careers in the field. · Natural Gas Program at Estrella Mountain Community College Southwest Gas partners with Estrella Mountain Community College on a hands-on Natural Gas Program that introduces students to careers in the utility and construction industries. Courses taught by current Southwest Gas employees provide experience with tools and safety practices used in the field. · Share the Spirit Shoes for Kids With the support of a $5,000 contribution from the Southwest Gas Foundation, Southwest Gas employees partnered with the Share the Spirit Foundation to provide 90 students from Title I schools with new shoes and socks during the Shoes for Kids event on August 28. As part of the Company’s volunteer program BLUE (Building Lives Up Everywhere), Southwest Gas employees served as personal shoppers, helping the students select new shoes that fit comfortably and help boost their confidence as they begin the school year. · Summer Internship Program Southwest Gas offers a paid Summer Internship Program for currently enrolled college and university students across the U.S. The 10-week program offers hands-on experience and professional development opportunities across a variety of business functions. Applications are open from January through April, with the program starting in June. Last year, more than 2,900 students from across the country applied for the internship program. Together, these collaborative efforts help open doors for opportunity and reflect Southwest Gas’ long-standing commitment to enriching lives and strengthening communities. For more information about Southwest Gas and its community partnerships, visit www.swgas.com/community. About Southwest Gas Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of our over two million customers throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada by providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while pursuing innovative sustainable energy solutions to fuel the growth in its communities. For more information about how Southwest Gas is supporting a sustainable energy future, please visit www.swgas.com. About The Southwest Gas Foundation The Southwest Gas Foundation has spent six decades partnering with 501(c)(3) organizations to open doors of opportunities, provide support in times of need, and create a legacy of impact that benefits generations to come. Funded by shareholders, the Foundation is committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities. For more information, please visit www.swgas.com/community.
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