News

Call 811 Before You Dig!

May 20, 2011

Will You Be Digging This Summer?

The Midstate office can tell it is spring time as we are starting to field calls regarding locating of underground lines.  We wanted to remind our customers that before you dig you must contact SD One Call to locate all underground lines.

South Dakotans are required by law to call 811 from their home phone, or from any phone dial: 1-800-781-7474 at least 48 hours before digging. Following a call, the call center notifies utility company representatives in the dig vicinity so companies can mark the approximate location of underground lines with spray paint or flags. Once a site has been marked, it is safe to dig away from the marked line areas.

“It is essential for anyone planning a project involving digging to make the call to 811 well in advance,” said PUC Chairman Steve Kolbeck. “This applies not only to homeowners, but to contractors, fence builders, landscapers, and anyone digging within the state. The result of not calling 811 and paying attention to the line markings before digging can result in expensive fines and fees, harm to the individual digging, and even death. There is simply too much at stake by ignoring the 811 call and this law.”

The flags that you may see in ditches or yards, may be different colored.  This chart below will help you identify the underground lines in that area.

Last Modified: 08-23-2011-17:27:55
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