Call Before You Dig

Contact Miss Utility - 811

Save yourself the cost and hassle of accidental damage or injury caused by underground utility lines. Dial 811 - it's free!

The "Miss Utility Law" (Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act) requires that Miss Utility be contacted at least 48 hours prior to digging or excavating in order to allow time for marking utility lines and to ensure any work is carefully completed without damage. Failure to notify Miss Utility before you dig could make you liable for the cost of repairs if any damage occurs. 

Miss Utility will notify each utility company with services that may be affected by your work and a representative from each will mark the approximate location of any underground lines. For your safety and others, call before you dig!

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are listed below:

Red - electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
Orange – telecommunications, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit
Yellow – natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous or flammable material
Green – sewers and drain lines
Blue – potable (drinkable) water
Purple – reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines
White – proposed excavation limits or route

It is possible for your lawn to be marked even if you haven't called 811. When a ticket is created, utility operators will mark any underground line that is directly in the way or even near planned construction. If this is the case, either a utility company is planning repair or maintenance or your neighbor, Town, County or VDOT is planning work. Use the Ticket Search link to see what work is being planned or visit www.va811.com for more information.