Call Before You Dig
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Call 811 Before You Dig
Underground electric, gas, communications, water, sewer, and other utility
lines may be closer to the surface than expected. Contact 811 before every
project that disturbs the ground, including planting a tree, installing a
fence, setting posts, building a deck, trenching, grading, or excavating.
The 811 service is free. Calling before you dig helps protect you, your
property, utility service, and the people working near your project.
Five Steps to Safer Digging
-
Plan ahead. Submit your locate request several business
days before the project. The day the request is submitted, weekends, and
holidays may not count toward the required waiting period. -
Mark the proposed excavation area. Clearly identify the
area where you plan to dig with white paint, flags, stakes, or another
approved white-marking method. -
Submit a locate request. Call 811 or use the appropriate
online service listed below. Keep your ticket number for your records. -
Wait for the legal start date and responses. Do not begin
excavation before the work-to-begin date and time shown on your ticket.
Confirm that every facility operator listed on the ticket has responded. -
Respect the marks and dig carefully. Preserve all paint and
flags and use safe excavation methods near marked facilities.
Information to Have Ready
When submitting a locate request, be prepared to provide:
- Your name, organization, phone number, and alternate contact information.
- The name and contact information of the person or contractor doing the digging.
- The project address, city, county, and nearest intersection.
- The type and purpose of the excavation.
- The date you plan to begin work.
- Specific instructions describing where on the property the work will occur.
- Information about gates, animals, access restrictions, or other site conditions.
- Directions, landmarks, or coordinates when the site does not have a clear address.
Private Utility Lines
An 811 request generally notifies participating utility operators. It may
not identify privately owned facilities such as power to detached buildings,
private water or sewer lines, propane lines, sprinkler systems, septic
systems, invisible fences, or customer-owned communications cables. A
private utility locator may be needed to identify these facilities.
Submit a Locate Request
Dialing 811 will normally route your call to the appropriate notification
center. If you are calling from outside the project area or near a county or
state boundary, use the direct number below.
How Long Are Locate Marks Valid?
Maintain all paint and flags during the project. Request a refresh or new
ticket when marks are missing, damaged, difficult to read, the excavation
area changes, or the ticket reaches its expiration date.
Idaho: Locate markings are generally valid for no more than
three consecutive weeks following the date of notification, provided the
markings are maintained and site conditions have not substantially changed.
Montana: Locate markings are generally valid for 30 days,
provided they remain readable and are properly maintained.
Washington: Locate markings expire 45 calendar days after
notice was provided, or at the end of the excavation portion of the project,
whichever occurs first.
Digging Near Marked Facilities
Locate marks identify an approximate horizontal location; they do not
guarantee the depth of a facility. Depth may change because of grading,
erosion, frost, construction, or other site conditions.
- Do not use powered excavation equipment directly on top of a marked facility.
- Use safe and careful methods to determine the facility’s precise location.
- Support exposed facilities and protect them from equipment, traffic, and collapse.
- Stop work if an unknown or unmarked facility is discovered.
- Contact 811 when markings need to be refreshed or the work area changes.
State Tolerance Requirements Differ
Idaho: Maintain at least 24 inches of clearance from a
marked and unexposed underground facility. Excavation within that area
should be performed with extreme care using appropriate hand or
non-destructive methods.
Montana: The tolerance zone extends 18 inches from each
outside edge of the underground facility, plus the width of the facility.
Washington: Facility markings have a reasonable accuracy
of 24 inches from the outside dimensions of the facility. Excavators must
use safe and careful work methods to determine the precise location.
Utility Marking Colors
Utility operators use standardized colors to identify the type of underground
facility present. Protect the markings throughout the project.
If You Contact or Damage an Electric Line
- Stop work immediately.
- Stay clear of the damaged facility and keep others away.
- Do not touch damaged cables, pipes, equipment, or exposed facilities.
-
Call 911 if there is arcing, fire, escaping gas, an injury, or any other
immediate threat to people or property. - Notify 811 and Northern Lights.
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.:
800-326-9594
Evenings, weekends, and holidays:
866-665-4837
Requirements vary by state, project, and excavation location. Always follow
the work-to-begin date, instructions, and facility responses associated with
your locate ticket.
