

I am digging in a spot that was previously marked.Įrosion and root system growth can alter the depth or location of buried lines, or your utility companies may have completed work on their lines since the last time you dug – so you must contact 811 before you dig, each and every time. Don’t make a judgment call – make the call (or online request) to 811 every time you dig.


Hitting a line can knock out service to your home and neighborhood or result in fines, damage, and serious injury. Contact your 811 center anytime you’re putting a shovel in the ground to keep yourself and your community safe.īuried utility lines are everywhere! Installing mailboxes and fences are examples of projects that absolutely require a call to 811 to know what’s below before digging. I am only planting a small flower bed or bush.ĭid you know that many utilities are buried just a few inches below ground? You can easily hit a line when digging for simple gardening projects, like planting flowers or small shrubs. If you should find that your property is marked, it means that someone has requested that utility markout in your area to ensure your safety.įor your reference, the color code markings for utilities are: Red (electric) yellow (gas, oil, dangerous materials, product and steam lines) Orange (CATV communication) Blue (water) Green (sewer) White (proposed excavation).Yes! Even projects you might think are “small,” like planting a garden, require you to contact 811. The one call center is not responsible for markouts. You will receive a ticket number, which you should keep until your project is safely completed. Be sure to have this information available when you call the Center. You must hand dig within 2 feet of markouts before using mechanized equipment. You cannot work outside the scope of work stated on your request. The information needed to process your request is as follows: Name, address, the dig address and the nearest intersection, how deep you are digging, the type of work, and where you need the property marked out. The person/company doing the excavation is required to call the center. Your notification is suitable for 45 business days. You must wait three business days for your mark out and not more than ten days before you start your project. The one call system will notify the operators of underground facilities to markout your planned activity. Anyone digging (schools, police, public safety, public works, municipalities and homeowners) to install, remove or replace trees, tree stumps, curbs, street and signposts, mailbox posts, fences, construct decks, additions, or create new gardens, etc. This law requires that anyone digging must call 1-80 or 811, so that operators can markout their underground utilities. The Underground Facility Protection Act, better known as the “One Call Law,” was signed into law in October 1994.
