Remember to Call 811 Before You Dig
Before you begin a project that involves digging, it is important to call Iowa One Call and have underground utilities marked.
Hitting a buried line while digging can cause unnecessary utility outages, have significant repair costs and result in serious injury. Whether it’s a large or small project, the law requires you contact Iowa One Call at least 48 hours prior to excavating.
Projects include (but are not limited to):
- Installing a fence
- Planting or removing trees or shrubs
- Planting a flower bed or garden
- Building a patio, addition, deck, garage, outdoor shed or any similar structure
- Putting in a new driveway or sidewalk
- Installing a septic system or water drainage system
- Terracing or landscaping
If you hire a contractor or landscaper, make sure they will contact 811 before digging begins.
It is helpful for any proposed excavation site to be outlined in white paint or white flags by the homeowner or contractor.
Please note the 48 hour timeline applies during weekday business hours, not weekends or holidays.
Iowa One Call will dispatch locators to mark all buried utility lines on the property so you can safely dig and prevent a potentially hazardous situation.
Contacting Iowa One Call is free, easy and the law. Requests can be made 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 811 or 1-800-292-8989 or online at iowaonecall.com.