--- title: Executive Director's Letter description: City of Columbia, Missouri, reduces utility damage by 64% through inspections, ordinances, and education, exceeding the 50-in-5 Challenge set by the Common Ground Alliance. image: https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Winter2024_ArticleImages3-1.png --- [![MOCS Full Color Horizontal](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MOCS%20Full%20Color%20Horizontal.png?width=400&height=150&name=MOCS%20Full%20Color%20Horizontal.png "MOCS Full Color Horizontal")](https://missouri-811.org/) - [HOMEOWNERS](https://missouri-811.org/homeowners/) - [EXCAVATORS](https://missouri-811.org/excavators/) - [UTILITY MEMBERS](https://missouri-811.org/members/) - [RESOURCES](https://missouri-811.org/resources/) - [FIELD EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://missouri-811.org/field-education-training/request-training/) - [ENFORCEMENT](https://missouri-811.org/enforcement/) - [MEETINGS & EVENTS](https://missouri-811.org/meetings-events/) - [ABOUT](https://missouri-811.org/about/) - [HOMEOWNERS](https://missouri-811.org/homeowners/) - [EXCAVATORS](https://missouri-811.org/excavators/) - [UTILITY MEMBERS](https://missouri-811.org/members/) - [RESOURCES](https://missouri-811.org/resources/) - [FIELD EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://missouri-811.org/field-education-training/request-training/) - [ENFORCEMENT](https://missouri-811.org/enforcement/) - [MEETINGS & EVENTS](https://missouri-811.org/meetings-events/) - [ABOUT](https://missouri-811.org/about/) Search Search - [811](tel:+811) - [811](tel:+811) Search Search ![Executive Director's Letter](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Winter2024_ArticleImages3-1.png) Jan 2, 2025 11:43:43 AM | [Winter 2024](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/tag/winter-2024) # Executive Director's Letter City of Columbia, Missouri, reduces utility damage by 64% through inspections, ordinances, and education, exceeding the 50-in-5 Challenge set by the Common Ground Alliance. Share - [mailto:?&subject=Executive%20Director's%20Letter&body=Executive%20Director's%20Letter%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.missouri-811.org%2Funderground-news%2Fexecutive-directors-letter)](mailto:?&subject=Executive%20Director's%20Letter&body=Executive%20Director's%20Letter%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.missouri-811.org%2Funderground-news%2Fexecutive-directors-letter)) - - - **It Can Be Done! 64% Damage Reduction!** I wish to congratulate the City of Columbia, Missouri, as they have reduced utility damage hits by 64%! Yes, you read that correctly! In accepting the challenge from the Common Ground Alliance to reduce utility damage by 50% in 5 years, (The *50-in-5 Challenge*), it is my honor to announce a utility that has not only *achieved* this feat but *exceeded* it! How? According to John Spatafora, City of Columbia Utilities, it involved a *three-pronged* approach: inspecting, addressing city ordinances, and education. These comprehensive changes were *implemented* in early 2024. John said the most impactful change was the mandatory inspection of every horizontal bore. Yes, this required more effort, but the damage dollars saved far outweighed the extra *time* expense to perform these inspections. Additionally, this move allowed them to catch mismarks of utilities before the excavators found them. A benefit that municipalities have as governmental entities is that they can enact ordinances within their zones of authority. This allows municipalities to *maintain* better control of activity with an improved degree of responsiveness from businesses hired to perform work within the city limits. Even though other utilities may not necessarily have the authority to enforce ordinances, there are other means to gain *high levels of* cooperation. Education, and I might add communication, are key efforts in reducing damage. I am amazed *at* how often I hear someone’s solution to reducing damages to utilities *only* involves “those people” changing “their” behavior. From where I sit, I see no angels. Too often, I see utilities that do not mark *responsibly,* *just as often* as an excavator who may not request a utility locate or pothole properly. Education and communication can bring clarity and understanding to damage prevention efforts, and the City of Columbia is a good example of the effectiveness of pre-construction meetings. Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to the City of Columbia, Missouri, and the fellow municipalities and Utilisource that helped make this a reality. Keep an eye on this subject, as you will hear more about it soon. ![Missouri 811](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Facebook%20Profile.png?width=70&name=Facebook%20Profile.png) ### Written By: Missouri 811 ## You May Also Like ### [![Executive Director's Letter](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Underground%20News%20Winter%2023%20Images2.png) *Jan 9, 2024 10:37:10 AM | Winter 23* Executive Director's Corner: We'll Take the Challenge](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/executive-directors-corner-well-take-the-challenge) ### [![Executive Director's Letter](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Underground%20News%20Winter%2022%20Images2.png) *Feb 6, 2023 12:53:57 PM | Winter 22-23* Executive Director's Corner: Why the new name?](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/executive-directors-corner-why-the-new-name) ### [![Executive Director's Letter](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Summer2025_ArticleImages2.png) *Jul 15, 2025 2:55:57 PM | Summer 2025* Executive Director's Letter - Keeping It Up To Date](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/executive-directors-letter-keeping-it-up-to-date-clone) [Learn More](https://www.example.com) [![Missouri 811_Logo_Full Color Reversed Stacked](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Missouri%20811_Logo_Full%20Color%20Reversed%20Stacked.png?width=212&height=175&name=Missouri%20811_Logo_Full%20Color%20Reversed%20Stacked.png "Missouri 811_Logo_Full Color Reversed Stacked")](https://missouri-811.org/) ## **PLACE A LOCATE REQUEST** [**CALL 811**](tel:811) Download the App: [![google-play-badge-1](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/google-play-badge-1.png?width=839&height=250&name=google-play-badge-1.png "google-play-badge-1")](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.occ.mocs&hl=en_US&gl=US) [![Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US.png?width=749&height=250&name=Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US.png "Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US")](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/missouri-one-call-system/id1462376234) 824 Weathered Rock Rd Jefferson City, MO 65101 ## **Follow us on social media.** Stay informed on the latest news and regulation changes. **Always remember to place your locate requests at least 3 working days before you dig. State and federal holidays are NOT considered a working day.** [**Observed Holidays**](https://oa.mo.gov/commissioner/state-holidays): New Year's Day | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Lincoln's Birthday | Washington's Birthday | Truman Day | Memorial Day | Juneteenth | Independence Day | Labor Day | Columbus Day | Veterans Day | Thanksgiving Day | Christmas Day © Missouri 811. All rights reserved.