Digging Done Right: The Importance of Calling 811 – for Everyone

Every year, underground utility lines are unintentionally damaged due to digging, leading to costly repairs, service disruptions, and potential safety hazards. Whether you’re a homeowner planting a tree, or a contractor working on a major excavation, calling Georgia 811 before you dig is a crucial step in ensuring safety and preventing damage to vital underground infrastructure.

Why Call Georgia 811?
Georgia law requires that anyone digging must contact Georgia 811 before starting a project. This free service notifies area utility companies, who respond and mark the location of underground utilities with colored flags or spray paint. These markings help prevent accidental damage to power, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications lines.

Failing to call Georgia 811 before digging can result in fines, service interruptions, and, in worst-case scenarios, serious injuries or fatalities. Striking a gas or electric line can be life-threatening, while damaging communication or water lines can disrupt essential services for entire neighborhoods.

Utility Providers Must Call 811, Too
Just like homeowners and contractors, utility companies are also required to contact Georgia 811 before beginning any digging or excavation for their own projects. This ensures that all underground infrastructure, whether it belongs to them or another provider, is properly marked and accounted for before work begins.

If another utility company fails to properly mark their lines or respond to a Georgia 811 request, it puts the digging company at risk of accidentally striking unmarked utilities. This can lead to service outages, costly repairs, and dangerous conditions. That’s why it’s critical for all utility companies to follow the Georgia 811 process, not just to protect their own assets, but to ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding community.

By following Georgia 811 procedures, utility companies help prevent damage, minimize disruptions, and maintain the integrity of essential underground infrastructure.

Know the Color Code for Utility Markings
Utility locators follow a standardized color code to identify different types of underground utilities:
• Red – Electric power lines
• Yellow – Gas, oil, or petroleum pipelines
• Orange – Communications, telephone, or fiber-optic cables
• Blue – Potable water
• Green – Sewer and drain lines
• Purple – Reclaimed water, irrigation
• White – Proposed excavation area

Plan Ahead & Stay Safe
Whether you’re installing a fence, digging a new foundation, or handling large-scale construction, calling Georgia 811 is a simple but essential step to keep everyone safe. The process is free, easy, and is often completed in 3-5 business days.

To request a locate, dial 811 or submit an online request at www.georgia811.com.