One call can keep you from digging into trouble

Iowa One Call held the first of 22 statewide “contractor awareness meetings” at midday today in Davenport. That non-profit agency coordinates the marking of underground utilities throughout the state. Iowa One Call spokesman Arvin Olson says the meetings are simple reminders of the service. While the meetings focus on contractors, the One Call service is available to everyone. Olson says anyone in Iowa who plans to do any digging is required by law to contact Iowa One Call at least 48 hours before they dig. Olson says most contractors already know about the One Call service and know they’re required to use it, but the word doesn’t always get out. The number is 800 292-8989. Tomorrow’s contractor awareness meeting is in Iowa City, Friday’s meeting is in Cedar Rapids. Others are planned over the next several weeks in: Clear Lake, Algona, Spencer, Fort Dodge, Ames, Ankeny, Marshalltown, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Cherokee, Carroll, Creston, Dubuque, Decorah, Waterloo, Burlington, Mount Pleasant and Ottumwa.