Grant Piraine
Apr 1, 2026
April is Dig Safe Month, a time dedicated to preventing damage, injury, and loss during ground disturbance activities. It is also an appropriate moment to formally introduce the North American Private Utility Association.
For decades, damage prevention efforts across North America have focused almost exclusively on publicly owned infrastructure, while the risks associated with privately owned buried facilities on private property remained largely unaddressed. That gap has been visible in the field for many years. The formation of NAPUA represents a deliberate step toward closing it by establishing guidance, accountability, and shared understanding for private property ground disturbance. This launch reflects a long standing recognition that safety does not end at the public right of way and that private infrastructure deserves the same clarity, professionalism, and care.
If this is your first time visiting our site, we encourage you to begin with the following articles, which outline the foundation of NAPUA and the lifecycle gap it is designed to address within the ground disturbance industry:
We welcome industry participation as these standards and best practices continue to evolve. We look forward to hearing from you.