Greensboro, NC (January 31, 2017) Onslow Water & Sewer Authority (ONWASA) has been chosen as the NC811 Safe Digging Partner for January, 2017 due to its ongoing commitment to safety, damage prevention and spreading the “Call Before You Dig” message to the public.

Many safe digging partners have made the commitment to call 811 prior to any excavation, but few go above and beyond with making safety their #1 priority.  ONWASA has shown their commitment to keeping their community and employees safe.  They participate in the monthly Jones/Onslow Utility Coordinating Committee meetings along with holding leadership positions on that committee.  “This is truly the type of Safe Digging Partner NC811 is looking for:  The commitment to keeping the community safe while excavating and providing a vital utility service to their customers,” said NC811’s Education Department Manager Ann Rushing.  David M. Mohr, PE, Engineering Director and Wynne Ray, Technical Operations Supervisor for ONWASA were presented the award from Howard Corey, Education Liaison with North Carolina 811.

NC811 acknowledged ONWASA’s commitment to damage prevention at their Jacksonville, NC office on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 with a Safe Digging Partner award certificate.  “ONWASA is pleased and honoured to be the recipient of the NC811 Safe Digging Partner Award.  We take a multi-faceted approach to spreading the word about safe digging practices; our dedicated staff has successfully reached out to neighbouring utilities to encourage their participation in the UCC, networked with local contractors and engineers, distributed information through billing inserts and even taken the opportunity to speak one-on-one with customers about this issue.  ONWASA consistently works to ensure the safety of the public it serves and its buried infrastructure through education and safe digging practices,” said David M. Mohr, PE, Engineering Director.

Every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without calling 811 first.  Find out more about becoming a Safe Digging Partner.

About NC811
Since 1978, North Carolina 811 has provided a fast and easy communications link with local utility providers. The public provides NC811 information about excavation, NC811 transmits the information to utilities and they send out locators to mark underground lines for free. Call 811 or 1-800-632-4949 three working days before you plan on digging.

About Onslow Water & Sewer Authority (ONWASA) Jacksonville, NC   
The Onslow Water and Sewer Authority (ONWASA) is a government entity that provides water and sewer services (wastewater) to the unincorporated areas of Onslow County, which includes areas outside of the town limits of Jacksonville, all of the Town of Holly Ridge, Town of Swansboro, Town of Richlands, as well as the Town of North Topsail Island, North Carolina.  ONWASA currently provides water to approximately 56 percent of the County population.

Media Contact:
NC811
Howard Corey
(336) 317-5999
howard@nc811.org