DIRT Report

Spotlight on 2023 Data

Our analysis of 2023 data integrates damage reports entered into DIRT with 811 center information collected through CGA's One Call Systems International (OCSI) committee. For comprehensive breakdowns of facility types affected, work performed, equipment used, event sources, root causes and more, please refer to the DIRT Interactive Dashboard, which includes data from 2021 onward. The 811 Center Dashboard offers detailed information on ticket volumes, trends, and state-specific regulations and exemptions.

Throughout this Report, we have consolidated the myriad options for “work performed” within DIRT into groups for broader analysis. The chart below details those groupings.

* Liquid Pipeline and Steam were negligible.

Reported damages in 2023 remained consistent with 2022, with telecommunications facilities accounting for nearly half of reported incidents and natural gas for about 40%. The breakdown of work types causing damages also stayed largely unchanged, although for this Report we have separated the previously aggregated "energy" category into natural gas and electric. This disaggregation highlights water/sewer work as significant contributors to damages, followed by telecommunications work and construction/development.

These consistent trends are particularly noteworthy given the expected impending surge in excavation activities driven by state and federal infrastructure investments. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has allocated $65 billion for broadband expansion¹ and $55 billion for water infrastructure improvements,² while the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is committing an additional $20.4 billion to connect underserved areas.³

While this funding has already impacted damage trends, it is also set to intensify excavation work, especially for fiber broadband deployment and water system upgrades. The telecom sector's Fiber to the Home (FTTH) initiative will require extensive excavation, particularly in rural areas. Concurrently, water infrastructure projects, including lead pipe replacement and system upgrades, will necessitate significant digging. Peak excavation activity is expected between 2024 and 2026.

Given that some of the top damage-causing work types are set to increase in coming years, targeted efforts to reduce incidents in these areas will be crucial for achieving the 50-in-5 goal.

Root Cause Analysis Underscores Persistent Challenges

DIRT collects specific root cause data across 25 (known) categories, plus an “unknown/other" option. CGA’s Data Committee also consolidates related causes into higher-level groups for macro trend analysis. Filtering out "unknown/other" focuses insights on identifiable failure points within the damage prevention system.

In this section of the Report, we present 2023 data as well as data from the three-year consistent reporters dataset. The consistent reporters dataset includes a representative sample of DIRT contributors from 2021-2023, including facility owners/operators, 811 centers, locators, excavators, public and private water utilities, and regulatory agencies. By focusing on consistent reporters, we can provide a more accurate and meaningful assessment of root cause trends over time, minimizing the impact of fluctuations in reporting patterns.

Click here to view definitions of damage root causes.

Growth of the DPI Drives Fluctuations in Root Cause Groups

The changes in root cause groups over time can be explained by expanded excavator reporting, which in turn can be explained by the growth of the Damage Prevention Institute (DPI). In the three-year consistent reporters dataset, Locating Practices edge up while the Excavation Practices group declined as No Locate Request held steady.

The three-year trends of the individual root causes within each group were examined and no remarkable shifts were noted. To explore root causes in more detail, visit the Interactive Dashboard.

1. U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration press release
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet
3. U.S. Federal Communications Commission fact sheet

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