Indiana 811

There are 100 billion feet of utility lines buried underground in the United States, according to Common Ground Alliance. These buried facilities, including gas, oil, electric, water, sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet, landline telephone and fiber optics, provide the services Americans depend on for their basic everyday needs.

If you are planning a project that involves digging, even if you plan to hire a professional, you must contact Indiana 811 at least two full working days before you begin – either by phone at 811 or online at www.811NOW.com.

Indiana 811 will then notify the affected underground facility owners of your intent to dig so these affected utilities can dispatch locators to mark the approximate location of their lines with paint, flags or both. Anyone planning to dig should follow the five important steps for getting utilities marked – plan the project, contact Indiana 811, wait for the marks, confirm the marks and finally, dig with care.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811 or a visit to www.811NOW.com.

Installing a mailbox, building a deck and planting a tree are all examples of digging projects that should only begin after you have waited at least two full working days after contacting 811, and confirmed that all facility owners in your area have either marked their lines or declared the area clear of any lines. Unintentionally striking a line can result in inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods, harm to yourself or your neighbors, and costly repairs.

Make a phone call, not a judgment call. Learn more about 811 at www.indiana811.org and keep your project safe for you and your community.