Safety is in your hands. Every Dig. Every Time.
What is 811? 811 “Call Before You Dig” is the national call-before-you-dig phone number and was created to provide you with a nationwide, easily accessible resource when you are digging. Every dig requires a call. If you plan to do any digging, you must call 811 or visit your state 811 center’s website (in Minnesota, www.gopherstateonecall.org) to request location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags. Doing so will protect you from unintentionally digging into an underground utility line, expense of repair and possible injury.
When do I call 811? You should call 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes. The specific amount of advance notice that you are required to provide varies by state.
What info do I need before calling 811? You will need to know the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you’re completing and the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig. Whether you call 811 or make your request online, you’ll need the same info.
After I call 811, what do I do? You need to wait a few days to allow utilities to respond to your request and ensure that all utilities have indeed responded to your request before breaking ground. Once all utilities have marked their buried lines, you should dig carefully around any utility marks and consider relocating projects that are close to buried utilities.