Hitting a buried line can cause injury, outages, fines and repair bills. The free national 811 service connects you to your state's one-call center.
How It Works
- Contact 811 by phone or online a few business days before digging (your state sets the exact notice).
- Describe where you will dig; white paint or flags help locators.
- Utility companies send locators to mark their lines.
- Wait until all utilities have responded, then dig carefully by hand near the marks.
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What the Colors Mean
| Color | Utility |
|---|---|
| Red | Electric |
| Yellow | Gas, oil, steam |
| Orange | Communications, cable |
| Blue | Drinking water |
| Green | Sewer and drain |
| Purple | Reclaimed water |
| White | Proposed excavation |
| Pink | Temporary survey marks |
Private Lines Are Not Marked
Utility locators mark public lines up to the meter. Lines you own (sprinklers, power to a shed, propane to a grill) are usually not marked; hire a private locator if needed.