Call Before You Dig

Call 811 Before You Dig

It is important to notify your local one-call center by dialing 811 at least 3 days before you plan to dig in your yard. This goes even for small projects like installing a mailbox or planting a flower bed.

The ground you walk, drive, and play on every day covers an incredible amount of buried utilities
There are more than 20 million miles of underground utilities in the United States, according to data compiled by the Common Ground Alliance from various industry groups

Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in damage to gas, electric, communications, water, and sewer lines
This can lead to service disruptions, serious injuries, and costly repairs

For outdoor projects don’t forget about the hidden hazards beneath your yard in the form of underground lines
To be safe, call 811 at least 3 days prior to digging

What to Expect

You will be asked the following questions:

Name
Phone number
Address

Who is doing the digging
Your location (city/township, county)
What type of work is being performed

You will be given a ticket number as a reference, keep this number in case you need to refer to it later

You can help the utility locate the proper area by marking it with white paint

The representative at 811 will make arrangements for the various utility companies to locate the utility lines on your property

Flag Color Codes

Paints and/ or flags are used to mark underground utility lines:

White – Pre-mark the outer limits of the proposed excavation

Red – Electric power lines, cables or conduit, and lighting cables

Blue – Water, irrigation, and slurry lines

Green – Sewers, drainage facilities, or other drain lines

Yellow – Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other hazardous liquid

Orange – Communi-cations, cable TV, alarm, or other signal lines

Purple – Slurry and reclaimed water

Pink – Temporary survey markings

Make the Call

Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs
Always remember, whether you are planning to do the work yourself or hiring a professional, smart digging means calling 811 before each job
Data shows that when you call 811 the appropriate amount of time before digging, you have a less than 1% chance of striking a buried utility line