Are you planning an outdoor project that involves digging? Your property may contain underground utility lines. Knowing where these utility lines are buried can help you avoid service interruptions, costly repairs and serious injury.
Call 811 before you dig. Call from anywhere in the country a few days prior to digging, and you'll be routed to your local call center. Tell the operator where you'll be digging, what type of work you're doing and when. Within just a few days, your local utility companies will visit your site and mark the location of any underground lines, free of charge.
Make your request online before you dig. You can also place your request online at VA811.com.
Each utility type is marked with a specific color:
- Red for electric
- Yellow for natural gas
- Orange for telecommunications
- Blue for water
- Green for sewage
The 811 campaign is operated by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), an association created to work with the utility industry to prevent damage to underground utility infrastructure and ensure public safety.