Missouri – July brought more than Missouri’s usual rush of construction, landscaping and renovation. It also delivered the state’s biggest month of 2026 for enforcing the law that requires excavators to check before breaking ground.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office reached settlements with 15 companies during the month, marking a record pace this year for cases involving Missouri 811, formerly known as the Missouri One Call System. Officials say the surge reflects a broader effort to stop digging mistakes before they damage utilities or put lives at risk.
“Our strong enforcement results reflect our continued dedication to keeping Missouri communities safe,” Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said.
“Every enforcement action serves as a reminder that following the Missouri 811 law prevents dangerous and costly accidents. The consequences can be deadly, and our office will continue prioritizing compliance and holding violators accountable.”
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Missouri law requires excavators to notify Missouri 811 by calling 8-1-1 before beginning excavation or digging work. The notification process allows underground utilities to be identified before a project starts, helping protect workers, neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.
Since January, the Attorney General’s Office has collected more than $100,000 through settlements. Enforcement activity has also doubled compared with the same point last year.
The companies that reached settlements in July were Syler Construction Inc.; Eastwood Excavation LLC; Rain Man Irrigation; R&K Excavation Inc.; MTD Construction LLC; Forefront Enterprises LLC; Precision Boring Technology Inc.; Dirks Heavy Contractors LLC; Southern Missouri Construction; Land Escapes Inc.; Next Solutions LLC; Davis Excavating Company LLC; ATS Contractors LLC; Marina dOr LLC; and Nimmo Construction Company LLC.
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Steven Reed, chief counsel of the office’s Consumer Protection Section, said summer creates added pressure because more construction, renovation and landscaping projects are underway.
“When contractors fail to call before they dig, they put workers, neighborhoods and critical utilities at risk,” Reed said. “These enforcement actions show our commitment to ensuring that every excavation follows the law so we can prevent avoidable accidents.”
Money collected through the enforcement program supports education and compliance initiatives aimed at reducing excavation-related utility damage. Companies found in violation must also complete Missouri 811 retraining.
Suspected violations of the Missouri Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act can be reported to the Attorney General’s Office at 573-751-3321. Additional information about pipeline safety and Missouri 811 enforcement is available at https://ago.mo.gov/get-help/programs-services-from-a-z/pipeline-safety/.
