Safe Digging For Homeowners

NOTIFY

Mark the boundaries of your planned digging in white paint or flagging.  Then, notify your local one-call center by calling 811 or making an online request (North Idaho 811) 2 full business days before you plan to dig.

The one-call center will transmit information to affected utility operators.

Wait

Wait 2 full business days for affected utility operators to respond to your request.

On average, between 3-5 utility operators are notified for each request.

Confirm

Confirm that all affected utility operators have responded to your request by comparing the marks to the list of utilities the one-call center notified.

Respect

Respect the marks. The marks provided by the affected utility operators are your guide for the duration of your project.

Utility members will mark the location and path of their underground facilities using the following colors:

If you are unable to maintain the marks during your project, or the project will continue past your request’s expiration date (a locate ticket is good for 21 days after the 1st day the ticket was called in), please call 811 to ask for a re-mark.

Dig Carefully

If you can’t avoid digging near the marks (within 24 inches on all sides), consider moving your project to another part of your yard.

If you must dig near the marks or use machinery of any kind, please click here to read “The 811 Process for Contractors.”