Peter Schorsch
Florida has yet again ranked No. 1 on a list of top states — but this time, it’s a dubious distinction with potentially disastrous consequences.
Underground utility lines are damaged by digging nearly 26,000 times each year across the Sunshine State — an average of 71 times each day, more than any other U.S. state. An industry group says that Floridians are suffering the consequences from the state’s lax laws on excavation, utility location and requirements to contact 811.
That’s according to data from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), a national nonprofit trade association working to prevent damage to buried infrastructure like utility lines. CGA’s nearly 4,000 member companies and organizations include the energy, utilities, construction, insurance and technology industries, among others.
Damage to buried water, electric, internet, natural gas and other utility lines costs the U.S. an estimated $30 billion annually. The association says these incidents can potentially disrupt access to critical services like 911 centers, as well as cause catastrophic injuries or loss of life.
In Florida, digging incidents have contributed to road collapses in West Palm Beach, water main breaks and boil water notices in Daytona Beach, and even fatal accidents in Southwest Florida. Meanwhile across Florida, utilities are moving underground to protect assets from natural disasters; TECO has invested over $100 million in recent years to bury overhead electric lines.
But experts say if these lines aren’t protected during excavation, the resiliency benefit of burying these utilities is lost.
“Dozens of times a day, we’re just one digging incident away from losing power, internet, electricity, or natural gas in our neighborhoods, and in Florida more than anywhere else in America,” said Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, President and CEO of the Common Ground Alliance.
“The risk that a single hit to critical utility lines can pose to communities, businesses, residents, and visitors is underrated. But so much of this risk is avoidable by requiring commonsense measures like contacting 811 before every dig, and modernizing Florida’s digging laws.”
Some utility lines are buried just inches under the surface, a fact that can be surprising to many. Magruder Lyle appeared earlier this month on NewsRadio WFLA’s Good Morning Orlando, where host Simon Conway wondered if burying a goldfish in the backyard could cause damage to buried utilities.
The answer? It very well might, according to Magruder Lyle.
The solution, she says, is to always know exactly what’s underground before the first shovel hits the ground.
That’s especially important as Florida ramps up investment in new infrastructure. Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2025-26 budget proposes $13.8 billion for transportation-related construction and maintenance, as well as $25 million for infrastructure advancements for Florida’s ports, logistics centers, and fuel pipelines. DeSantis in recent months also announced millions in new infrastructure projects for rural communities like Cedar Key and Cross City.
The risk of damage also rises as demand for AI data centers explodes. President Donald Trump in January announced a $500 billion commitment for data center construction, with Florida among the states under consideration by OpenAI for additional data centers.
Highlighting the risks, as well as the solutions, is top of mind for the Common Ground Alliance. It’s also a priority for the Damage Prevention Action Center, the industry’s advocacy arm working to educate federal, state and local officials on the importance of effective laws and regulations to prevent critical infrastructure damage.
CGA returns to Florida this month, hosting its 2025 Conference and Expo at the Orlando World Center Marriott from April 7-10. The group also held its 2023 conference in Orlando, which featured video remarks from then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, state Rep. Doug Bankson and others.
The group at its 2023 conference also issued its “50 in 5” challenge, which seeks to reduce damage to underground utilities by 50% by 2028.
The CGA Conference & Expo is the nation’s largest event of its kind, with an expected attendance of more than 1,400 utility and construction professionals. Acclaimed tech entrepreneur and bestselling author Shane Snow will deliver keynote remarks alongside the conference’s more than 50 interactive sessions, programs, and networking events.
Registration for the group’s 2025 conference is open now at CGAConference.com.
