12/02/2019
STEPS to safe digging
Step One: Contact 811
You can call 811 directly or use our web-based ticket system, Single Address Ticket (SAT)
Professional excavators who create more complex and multiple locate requests can use
Remote Ticket Entry.
Have the following information ready when you contact 811:
Phone number
Address (including the county)
Is it inside or outside city limits?
Is it in a subdivision?
A cross-street name (nearest intersecting street & is it within a 1/4 mile)
Where exactly is the area you wish to have located? (are you marking the area with white paint or flags) Learn more about white lining your excavation area.
Work date, time, how long will the work take, what type of work is it and who is it for
For a full listing of required locate request information click here
You will be given a ticket number and a verbal list of utility companies that are notified by North Carolina 811. This does not mean each member listed owns buried utilities on your property. You will want to write down the names of the utility companies for easy reference. Every utility company is not a member of North Carolina 811.
STEP TWO: WAIT THE REQUIRED TIME
North Carolina law requires a three working day notice be given to the utility owners before your digging begins. Member facilities have three full working days, beginning the first working day after the notice is given, to mark the locate area requested for their underground utilities or notify the excavator of no conflict in that area.
PLEASE BE AWARE:
PRIVATE LINES WILL NOT BE MARKED BY CONTACTING 811
What is a private line?
It is the responsibility of the excavator to contact a utility locating company to have any private lines located. The utility company determines public utility lines themselves, and the maintenance usually ends where the meter of the particular line is. Beyond the meter and up to the building or home, including the backyard is then consider a private utility, for which the property owner is responsible for.
Water, sewer, and storm drain lines are marked within the right of way or to the meter, and not on private property. Lines from the right of way or meter to the residence or business are private lines and you will need to contact a private line locator to have these lines located. Member facility owners are not responsible for marking private lines. You must contact any non-member facility owners not listed on your location request directly to request their facilities to be located and marked.
If you don't find what you are looking for here we suggest using our FAQ page.
This interactive presentation explains the 811 process and how it works in North Carolina.
Almost everything in this presentation is linked to more information, so feel free to explore.
If a damage occurs, you will need to notify the facility owner directly, and you can dial 811 to enter a report of damage to underground facilities. In the event of a gas product release, please quickly and safely move upwind and dial 911 to report.
If you would like to download or print this presentation, simply click on the gear icon at the bottom left for options. You can flip through all the slides of this presentation by using the interactive buttons, or by also using the slide arrows on the bottom left. Each slide will automatically advance after 1 minute. Click the pause button on the bottom left to keep the slides from progressing.
Check the status of your locate request
Today, more and more of the utility companies that supply your home with power, heat, water, telephone, sewer, gas and cable television service are delivering those services underground. It is also possible that these buried service lines are close to the surface, making digging a dangerous endeavor. Fortunately, you can find out where public utility-owned lines are buried on your property by contacting 811 either by phone or online. NC811 will notify our member utility companies of your excavation needs and those utilities will have professional locators mark their buried lines, free of charge.
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THE safe digging process
