August 2021 Bill Insert: Call 811 Before You Dig

CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG

August 11 is National 811 Day to raise awareness of the law requiring excavators to contact 811 at least two business days before digging to have utilities located. Please follow these homeowner or excavator steps before starting any project that disturbs the soil. Underground utilities in your excavation area will be located and marked. Submit requests online at ne1call.com or call 811 or 800.331.5666.

HOMEOWNER PROCESS:

NOTIFY: Call 811 or make an online 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 white 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. Please check with Nebraska 811 for more information.

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

NOTIFY: If you damage any underground facilities during your excavation, call 811. 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.

EXCAVATOR PROCESS:

FILE LOCATE REQUEST: Call 811 or make an online request at ne1call.com at least two business days prior to beginning any excavation project. The one-call center will transmit information to affected utility operators.

WHITE LINE: Mark out your proposed dig site with white paint or flags prior to the arrival of the utility locators. This will assist in accurately determining the exact dig site and area that needs to be located.

PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION: Provide accurate and complete information regarding your excavation area, to include the entire scope of work.

CHECK UTILITY MARKINGS: Ensure ALL utilities notified of your excavation have responded by either marking or clearing the dig site. File a Non-Response or Incorrect Locate Request if a utility has not responded by the start time or a utility mark appears incorrect.

REPORT DAMAGES: 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.

MANAGE REFRESHES: If locate marks have been destroyed, are unclear or active excavation will continue beyond 14 days, request a Refresh Locate. For more information on excavator responsibilities, visit: ne1call.com/excavator/.