Planning to dig?
Here’s what you need to know…
Calling before you dig helps keep your family and community safe. Homeowners should contact New York 811, by dialing 811, at least 48 hours but no more than 10 working days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) before beginning any digging project. Homeowners can also call 811, the national call before you dig number, to request that their lines be marked. (Calls made to 811 are automatically routed to the nearest one call center.)
It’s important to call before starting any type of work involving digging.
Examples include:
- Landscaping
- Digging holes for fence posts or a mailbox
- Anchoring supports for decks and swings sets
- Planting trees
- Removing tree roots
- Driving landscaping stakes into the ground
- Installing a retainer wall
Calling New York 811 is the only way to determine the exact location of a utility line or underground structure.
By not calling, you risk:
- Costly property or environmental damage
- Explosion or fire on your property
- Power or utilities services interruptions
- Injury—or even death
Utility Color Codes
When utility company representatives mark a location, they use colored flags and/or paint to identify the type of underground service:
PROPOSED EXCAVATION
temporary survey marking
electric power lines
gas, oil steam chemical
Cable, Communication
Sewer, Storm Drain
Reclaimed Water
Potable Water
Homeowners should follow these steps for safe digging…
Contacting New York 811 before you dig is the only way to determine the approximate location of an underground facility.
By not calling you risk:
- Costly property and environmental damage
- Explosion or fire
- Power or utilities services interruptions
- Job delays
- Legal problems
- Injury—or even death
If you hit a line…
Contact the utility company (if known) as well as New York 811 immediately even if there appears to be no damage. (Not all damage can be detected by the naked eye.)
If a substance starts releasing into the air, such as natural gas, call 9-1-1. For your safety, walk away immediately and take steps to clear the area. Don’t try to repair or stop a leak yourself or use anything that might create a spark, such as a cell phone.
Free safety presentation!
New York 811 features two staff liaisons charged with promoting safe digging throughout our region.
Each year, they make over 150 educational presentations to various organizations, including excavation companies and contractor groups. Click here to learn more.
