No matter where you live you’ve probably noticed workers digging. Until there’s a problem you may not even pay attention to the work they’re doing or which company they’re working for. What can you do if they leave damage behind? Investigative reporter Amy Davis answers your questions about how to get information when your property is damaged by utility crews.
There are a lot of lines, cables, and pipes underground. If workers aren’t careful, they can cause major damage to your property. Often the damage is something you may not notice right away.
Giant spools of cable and the loud hum of this diesel generator greeted homeowners in Kellwood Estates day after day in January after contractors cut an electric line to the cable box here.
“AT&T hired contractors to come and dig ditches to lay those fiber cables right there,” said Tom Bieltz.
This posted sign even cautions workers to “call 8-1-1 before you dig.” But even if they do, once workers hit water, electric, or gas lines the damage is done. People who live nearby suffer the consequences.
In 2018, we showed you how AT&T’s digging set a Cypress home on fire and caused thousands of dollars to underground electric lines to this woman’s Tomball home.
“That would break me. I have no idea where I would come up with that kind of money but we have to have lights and heat,” said Shelly Moore, Tomball resident.
The biggest challenge for homeowners is usually determining which company is responsible.
Viewer Kim Scott emailed me writing:
“We’re not sure which one, but one of the utility companies went around Augusta Drive and Fountainview installing fiber optic lines. They tore through our irrigation system leaving their grass and landscaping paid for by condo owners dead and dying. I called 311 and they were no help.”
RELATED: Utility crews leave damage behind in Kingwood neighborhoods
So how could she find out where to file a claim to fix this mess?
We reached out to the City of Houston and learned CenterPoint has a standing permit to perform work within the right of way in the city limits. AT&T digs with protection from state statutes to keep its systems operating. “Any other utility performing work in the right-of-way is required to have a permit for work if it involves closing sidewalks, traffic lanes or if they are cutting into the street.”
To find out which utility is digging in your area you should call Houston’s office of the City Engineer. They told us the name of the company that left this mess and Scott told us they came out to lay down new sod and clean up after we contacted the city.
If you live outside of Houston’s city limits and need to find which utility was digging in your area you can contact the Public Utility Commission Consumer Protection Division. [More info here.]
Reach out to the Office of the City Engineer: https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/office-city-engineer
- City Engineer: 832.394.9164
- Design and Construction Standards Group: 832.394.9513
- Construction Services: 832.394.9097
- Plan Review: 832.394.9690
- Water/Wastewater and Facilities 832.394.9546
City Statement regarding neighborhood utility work damage
The City of Houston permits utilities to perform work within the right-of-way. CenterPoint has a franchise agreement with the City of Houston, meaning that they have a standing permit to perform work within the right of way. That agreement requires them to let us know their work locations. AT&T falls under state statutes to keep its systems in operation. Any other utility performing work in the right-of-way is required to have a permit for work if it involves closing sidewalks, traffic lanes or if they are cutting into the street.
Erin Jones, Public Information OfficerCity of Houston | Houston Public Works
Office of the City Engineer | Houston Permitting Center
LEARN MORE ABOUT PERMIT TYPES Click the link(s) here. The Office of the City Engineer (OCE) implements and administers the provisions in the City’s Code of Ordinances state and federal regulations.