Damages to Underground Facilities Act (DUFA), and Key responsibilities for Rural Water Providers
(Room 124 A&B)
15 Sep 26
1:30 PM
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2:30 PM
The Damage to Underground Facilities Act (“DUFA”) provides for both civil penalties and a cause of action against any party who damages underground utility facilities during excavation. DUFA is a strict liability statue that, if breached, entitles the plaintiff (utility generally) to “damages incurred to repair and/or replace the pipeline, costs of the action, attorney fees and perhaps punitive damages”. The act aims to prevent damage to underground utility facilities by requiring coordination between excavators and operators. The art of good governance and management of today’s rural water company requires the understanding on how to protect your underground facilities.