Calling before you dig is even easier than before - just dial 811
One easy phone call to 811 instantly begins the process of getting underground electric and gas utility lines on your property marked. Local One Call Centers will contact the appropriate utility companies, who send crews out to mark the underground lines within three days. This service is free of charge.
You can still contact your state's local One Call Center:
- Illinois: JULIE...1-800-892-0123 or www.illinois1call.com
- Iowa: Iowa One Call...1-800-292-8989 or www.iowaonecall.com
- Minnesota: Gopher State One Call...1-800-252-1166 or www.gopherstateonecall.org
- Wisconsin: Diggers Hotline...1-800-242-8511 or www.diggershotline.com
Learn more!
- Watch Alliant Energy's new televison ad focused on calling 811 before digging.
- Watch the Call 811 public service announcement that urges homeowners and excavators to avoid a 'Grimm' situation.
- Watch the story of a farmer who thought he was staying away from a petroleum pipeline while field tiling.
A damaged gas pipeline or service to a house may create an explosion hazard resulting in injury and death, severe property damage and loss of vital services. If you are planning a project that involves digging, trenching, drilling, grading or excavating:
- Call before you dig
- Wait the required time
- Respect the marks
- Conduct a site survey
- Have an emergency plan
- Dig with care
Learn to recognize which color indicates each utility
Underground utility lines will be marked with flags or paint to show approximate location.
|
WHITE |
Proposed Excavation |
|
PINK |
Temporary Survey Markings |
|
RED |
Electric lines, Conduit and Lighting Cables |
|
YELLOW |
Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials |
|
ORANGE |
Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines |
|
BLUE |
Potable Water |
|
PURPLE |
Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines |
|
GREEN |
Sewers and Drain Lines |
Some additional tips
When you start digging, try to stay at least 24 inches away from the marked lines (distance requirements vary by state, so ask for guidelines when you contact the One Call Center). Immediately contact the utility if you hit, touch, scrape or damage a pipe or line. Even minor damage such as a small gouge, dent, crease or scrape may cause future safety problems.
If you're planting a tree, remember to consider the length of the roots as the tree matures, and don't plant trees near power lines.
If you contact an underground pipeline or electric cable, call Alliant Energy at 1-800-257-3645 or your local utility immediately. If gas is blowing, call 911.
Farm Safety
When should farmers call? The guidelines for farmers include a special 15-inch rule for determining whether Iowa One Call should be notified.
Call before excavations 15 inches or deeper, including:
* Chisel plowing
* Subsoiling
* Ripping
* Drain tile excavating
* Terracing
* Waterway projects
* Digging or driving a new fence post
* Any project penetrating soil 15 inches or more
Normal farm operations don't require a call, including:
* Plowing (penetrating less than 15 inches)
* Cultivating (penetrating less than 15 inches)
* Planting
* Harvesting
* Replacing a fence post in its existing location
* Normal field activities penetrating soil less than 15 inches
Download farm safety brochure [PDF]
More online resources
Here are some useful Web sites to find more information about pipelines: