Safe digging is no accident.

Homeowners and contractors must call 811 before undertaking any excavation or digging projects. 

Calling 811 is safe, free, and the law. For your safety, you are required by law to call 811 at least two working days before you plan to dig so your underground utility lines can be marked.

How 811 works:

• Call 811 at least two working days before you need to start excavations or digging.
• Mark your proposed excavation area with stakes, flags, or painted or chalked lines that are white in color and are clearly visible.
• The 811 service will alert participating utility companies such as electric, gas, cable, and telephone about the planned digging so they can mark the appropriate location of their underground lines, if necessary.
• Local utilities will then come to your home or work site and mark the location of their underground lines
• Remember, you are responsible for marking your private lines such as invisible pet fences, sprinkler systems, yard lights, and gas grill lines.
• Check the area before proceeding with your project. If a member utility has not responded or if underground facilities are clearly present and not located, call 811 again to have the area located properly.
• When digging, make sure to always dig around the marks, not on them. Some utility lines may be buried at a shallow depth, and an unintended shovel thrust could result in dangerous and/or costly consequences.
• Local utilities will then come to your home or work site and mark the location of their underground lines using the following color codes: