Helpful Events & Resources
Know What’s Below!
Who’s Digging?
Click the link below to learn more about what you need to do before starting on your next digging project.
Download Excavator Guides
Plan your project with confidence using our Excavator Guides, available in English and Spanish. These step by step resources walk you through the 811 process, safety best practices, and what to expect before, during, and after your dig.
Download your guide and get the information you need to dig safely.
Why are there marks in my yard?
Utility crews use paint and flags to mark underground lines before excavation work begins. If you are seeing markings in your yard, it usually means a locate request has been submitted and work is being planned nearby.
You can search your address on the Public Dashboard to see what type of work is scheduled and which utilities may be involved. This helps you stay informed and understand what is happening in your area.
Uniform Color Code
The American Public Works Association (APWA) developed a color code for temporarily marking underground facilities before excavation. The color code encourages all excavators, surveyors and engineers to use these colors to promote and eliminate damages to workers and the general public as well as prevent service interruptions to vital underground utilities.
Marking underground utilities with paint, flags, surface markers and underground marking tapes allows all excavators to understand the types of facilities and the approximate locations and routes of buried lines.
Types of utility markers that are flagged:
White
Proposed Excavation
Pink
Temporary Survey Markings
Red
Electric Power Lines, Cables Conduit, Lightning Cables
Yellow
Gas, Oil, Steam
Orange
Communication, Alarm, Conduit
Blue
Potable Water
Purple
Reclaimed Water, Irrigation, Slurry Lines
Green
Sewer and Drain Lines
