Call 811 Before You Dig

Did you know more than half of reported natural gas incidents are caused by people who dig before utility lines are marked?

Before you dig, please call 811 or 800.331.5666.

Or, submit a locate request online at: ne1call.com.

Nebraska811 is a statewide one-call notification center set up under Nebraska Statute 76-2321 in 1994. The law is designed to protect underground utilities and the well-being of people.

The law requires that all utilities become a member of Nebraska 811. Utility companies mark or identify where their utilities are buried before any dirt work begins in order to keep utility lines from being damaged and any person from being hurt. 811 is a universal number used across the United States.

Locators, utility companies and other officials use color codes to identify underground utilities with flags, paint, or other means. Below is a list of the corresponding colors for the type of underground utility:

White – proposed excavation
Pink – temporary survey markings
Red – electric
Yellow – gas, oil
Orange – communications, cable-TV
Blue – water
Purple – reclaimed water
Green – sewer

Before planting trees, bushes, building a shed, installing a sprinkler line, planting bulbs or any type of digging in your yard, call 811 at least two business days before you dig.  The call is free and the utility members will be out to mark the area you plan to excavate.

Homeowner Process:

NOTIFY: Call 811 or visit ne1call.com to make a request at least two business days in advance of your project. The one-call center will transmit information to affected utility operators.

PREPARE: Mark the proposed area of your excavation with white flags or paint prior to the utilities arrival. Ensure the area to be located is safe and accessible by unlocking any gates and securing all pets.

CONFIRM: Wait two days for affected utility operators to respond to your request. Ensure all the utilities notified of your excavation have responded before you begin digging.

FOLLOW: Respect the utility marks (flags or paint) and dig carefully according to regulations. The marks provided by utility operators are your guide for the duration of the project. If you are unable to maintain the marks during your project or the work will continue past your request’s expiration date, contact 811 to ask for refreshed markings.

NOTIFY: If you damage any underground utilities during your excavation, report all damages by calling 811 or 800.331.5666. If you smell natural gas, leave the area and from a safe distance, call 911, followed by M.U.D.’s 24-hour emergency number: 402.554.7777.

PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS: For more information on your responsibilities or to review the excavator manual, visit ne1call.com/excavator/.