Dig Alert: The Ultimate Guide to Safe Excavation

Skipping the call to Dig Alert might seem like a shortcut on a tight schedule, but it’s a gamble with devastating financial stakes. Failing to comply with California’s "Call Before You Dig" law can result in fines reaching up to $50,000, not to mention full liability for repair costs that can easily climb into six figures. These direct costs don’t even account for the project delays, crew downtime, and damage to your company’s reputation that follow a utility strike. The free service is your first and most important line of defense against these entirely avoidable expenses, making it a non-negotiable part of any professional excavation.

Key Takeaways

• Make the 811 Call Your First Step: Before any excavation, you are legally required to contact Dig Alert at least two working days in advance. This free service marks public utility lines, protecting your crew from dangerous accidents and your project from costly fines.
• Recognize That 811 Stops at the Meter: The free public locate service does not cover private utilities, like power lines to parking lot lights or water lines between buildings. Anything past the service connection point is your responsibility to find.
• Get a Complete Subsurface Map to Dig Confidently: To avoid striking unmarked private lines, you need a private utility scan. Using advanced tools like GPR, a professional service can identify non-metallic pipes and create a comprehensive map of everything underground, ensuring a safer and more efficient project.

What is Dig Alert?

If you’re planning any kind of excavation in Southern California, you need to know about Dig Alert. Officially called the Underground Service Alert of Southern California (USA/SC), Dig Alert is the region’s free "Call Before You Dig" service. Think of it as the first and most critical step in any project that involves breaking ground. Its purpose is simple but essential: to help you identify the location of public utility lines—like pipes, wires, and cables—buried beneath your job site.

By contacting them before your project begins, you trigger a process where member utility companies send professional locators to mark the approximate location of their infrastructure. This single action is your best defense against accidentally striking a line, which can lead to dangerous accidents, expensive repairs, and significant project delays. It’s a public safety system designed to protect excavators, the public, and the vital utility services we all rely on every day. This system acts as a central point of contact, saving you the hassle of calling each utility company individually. Instead of tracking down contacts for the gas, electric, water, and telecom providers in your area, you make one request, and Dig Alert handles the notification process for you.

What Does the Service Cover?

The Dig Alert service acts as a communication hub between you and public utility owners. When you submit a ticket, Dig Alert notifies its member companies that have underground infrastructure in your project area. These companies then dispatch their own locators to mark the lines they own and operate. This typically includes major services like natural gas, electricity, water, sewer, and telecommunications.

However, it’s crucial to understand what the service doesn’t cover. Dig Alert only locates public utilities—the lines running up to the meter or service connection point. Any privately owned lines beyond that point, such as power lines running to a parking lot light or a water line to an irrigation system, are not included.

Is It Required by Law in California?

Yes, absolutely. Using the "Call Before You Dig" service is not just a best practice; it is a legal requirement. According to California State Law, anyone planning to excavate must contact their regional notification center, like Dig Alert, at least two working days before digging begins. This applies to everyone, from a homeowner planting a tree to a general contractor trenching for a new foundation.

Failing to follow this law can result in serious consequences, including hefty fines and liability for any damages caused. The state takes utility safety very seriously, and this mandate is in place to ensure every project starts with a clear understanding of what lies beneath the surface, protecting both workers and the community.

Is the Dig Alert Service Free?

Yes, the service provided by Dig Alert is completely free for anyone who is digging. There is no cost to submit a ticket and have public utilities marked on your site. You might wonder how that’s possible. The system is funded entirely by its member utility companies. They pay for the service because it is far more cost-effective to prevent utility strikes than it is to repair them.

By investing in this free notification system, utility companies protect their critical infrastructure, prevent service outages, and enhance public safety. This collaborative approach ensures there are no financial barriers to safe digging, making it easy for everyone to comply with the law and protect themselves from the risks of striking an unmarked line.

Why You Must Contact Dig Alert Before Digging

Making that call to Dig Alert is more than just a box to check on your pre-excavation list—it’s the critical first step that protects your crew, your budget, and your reputation. Before any soil is disturbed, understanding what lies beneath the surface is a non-negotiable part of professional site management. The public utility lines running under your project site are the shared infrastructure of the entire community. Accidentally striking one of these lines can trigger a cascade of dangerous and expensive problems that can halt your project indefinitely.

From high-pressure gas lines to critical fiber optic cables, the underground is a complex network that demands respect. Taking the time to contact Dig Alert ensures that public utility owners come out to mark their infrastructure, giving you a clear map of where you can and cannot dig. This simple action is your first line of defense against preventable accidents and is fundamental to a safe, compliant, and efficient excavation.

Prevent Dangerous Accidents

The most important reason to call Dig Alert is for the safety of your team and the public. What you can’t see underground can cause serious harm. Hitting a natural gas line could lead to a dangerous leak or explosion, while striking an electrical line carries the risk of severe injury or electrocution. Even damaging a water main can destabilize the surrounding soil and create hazardous site conditions. Beyond the immediate physical dangers, severing a fiber optic cable can cut off essential communication services for hospitals, emergency responders, and entire neighborhoods. The Common Ground Alliance reports thousands of preventable utility strikes each year, and nearly all of them could have been avoided with a simple call.

Avoid Costly Fines and Repairs

Failing to call Dig Alert before you dig can have serious financial consequences. If your excavation damages a public utility line, you could be on the hook for steep penalties. According to the City of Hesperia, these fines can reach up to $50,000. On top of that, you will likely be held financially responsible for the full cost of repairs, which can easily run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the utility. These direct costs don’t even account for the indirect expenses from project delays, crew downtime, and potential legal action. The few minutes it takes to submit a Dig Alert ticket is a small investment that protects your project from devastating and entirely avoidable costs.

Stay Compliant with the Law

In California, contacting Dig Alert isn’t just a best practice; it’s the law. California Government Code 4216 mandates that anyone planning to excavate must contact their regional notification center at least two working days before digging. This legal requirement applies to everyone, from large general contractors trenching for new infrastructure to facility managers installing new irrigation lines. Failing to comply can not only result in the fines mentioned earlier but could also jeopardize your contractor’s license and expose your company to significant liability. Following the law demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to safe operations, protecting your business from legal trouble and reinforcing your credibility with clients and regulators.

Protect the Surrounding Environment

Your responsibility extends beyond the boundaries of your immediate worksite. Damaging underground utilities can have a significant negative impact on the local environment. A broken sewer line can release raw sewage, contaminating soil and nearby water sources. A severed water main can cause localized flooding, leading to soil erosion and property damage that affects the surrounding community. By ensuring all public utilities are properly marked, you are doing your part to prevent environmental contamination and preserve the integrity of the local ecosystem. As DigAlert emphasizes, safety is a year-round priority, and that includes protecting the shared environment we all depend on.

How the Dig Alert Process Works

The Dig Alert system is designed to be a straightforward communication channel between excavators and utility owners. While it might seem like an extra step, it’s a critical safety measure that protects your crew, your project, and the public. The process boils down to four key phases: making the call, waiting for marks, confirming the response, and digging safely. When you contact 811, you provide details about your project's location and scope. The 811 center then acts as a dispatcher, notifying all member utility companies with assets in your work area. Those companies are then responsible for sending locators to the site to mark the approximate location of their underground lines. This simple coordination prevents catastrophic accidents and costly delays. Understanding each step ensures your project stays on schedule and, most importantly, that everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.

How Far in Advance Should You Call?

Timing is everything. You can't call 811 the morning you plan to start digging and expect to get cleared. In California, the law requires you to call 811 at least two working days before your planned excavation. It's important to remember that this doesn't include the day you make the call, weekends, or holidays. So, if you call on a Monday, the earliest you can start digging is Thursday. This two-day window gives utility operators the necessary time to receive the notification, schedule a locator, and get their lines marked on your site. Planning ahead and building this waiting period into your project timeline is essential for staying compliant and avoiding unnecessary downtime.

What Happens After You Make the Call?

Once you submit your dig ticket, the 811 center gets to work. You don't have to track down every utility company yourself. When you call, you’ll tell them where your job site is, and the DigAlert system notifies all the member utility companies that have lines in that area. Each of these companies will then dispatch their own locators to your site within the legally required timeframe. They will mark the ground with paint or flags to show where their specific utilities are buried. You'll receive a ticket number for your request, which is your proof of compliance. Keep this number handy, as you'll need it to check the status of the locate requests and confirm that all utilities have responded before you break ground.

What Do the Color-Coded Markings Mean?

The paint and flags left behind by locators aren't random; they follow a universal color code to identify what’s buried below. The DigAlert service helps you find out where underground utility lines are before you start digging, which can include everything from fiber optic cables to gas pipes. Each color represents a specific type of utility, allowing you to understand the subsurface landscape at a glance.

Here’s a quick guide to the standard colors:

Red: Electric power lines, cables, or conduit
Yellow: Gas, oil, steam, or other gaseous materials
Orange: Communication lines (phone, cable TV, fiber optics)
Blue: Potable water
Green: Sewers and drain lines
Purple: Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines
Pink: Temporary survey markings
White: Proposed excavation area

How to Read the Marks on the Ground

The markings on the ground indicate the approximate horizontal location of a utility line. They don't tell you the depth. Once the utility lines are marked, you must hand dig carefully around them until you can visually confirm their location. This is known as "potholing." State laws define a "tolerance zone," which is the area on either side of the marked line where you cannot use mechanized digging equipment. In California, this zone is 24 inches from the outside edge of the underground line. Within this zone, only hand tools or vacuum excavation are permitted. Respecting these marks and the tolerance zone is your best defense against hitting a line and causing a dangerous and expensive accident.

Common Types of Underground Utilities

Before you break ground, it’s crucial to understand what you’re working with. The ground beneath your job site is a complex network of pipes, wires, and cables that keep our communities running. While 811 services are your first step for locating public utilities, knowing the common types of lines you might encounter helps you plan a safer, more efficient excavation. Each type of utility presents its own set of risks, from service disruptions and costly repairs to serious safety hazards for your crew.

Damaging any of these lines can bring your project to a screeching halt, leading to fines, delays, and complicated repairs. Think of it this way: a clean, well-marked site is a productive site. Taking the time to identify everything from electrical conduits to fiber optic cables is non-negotiable for keeping your project on schedule and your team safe. Understanding this underground infrastructure is the foundation of any successful excavation project.

Electric Power Lines

Underground electric lines are the hidden power source for homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Buried to protect them from the elements, these lines carry high voltages that pose a severe risk if struck. Hitting an electrical line can cause widespread power outages, equipment damage, and life-threatening injuries from electrocution or arc flash. Because these lines are so critical and dangerous, accurately identifying their location and depth is a top priority before any digging begins. Even a minor nick from a shovel or auger can compromise the line’s integrity and create a serious electrical hazard for anyone working on the site.

Natural Gas Pipelines

Natural gas pipelines are arteries of energy, transporting flammable gas under pressure. They are often made of steel or plastic and can be difficult to detect without the right equipment. A damaged gas line is one of the most dangerous scenarios on a construction site, as it can lead to leaks, fires, and explosions. The consequences extend beyond your site, potentially forcing evacuations and causing major service disruptions. The federal government sets strict pipeline safety regulations for a reason—even a small leak can have catastrophic results. That’s why precise location and careful excavation are absolutely essential when gas lines are present.

Water and Sewer Systems

Essential for public health and sanitation, water and sewer systems are a constant presence on nearly every job site. Water mains supply clean drinking water, while sewer and storm lines carry wastewater away. Striking one of these lines can cause immediate problems, including localized flooding, soil erosion that can destabilize your excavation, and service interruptions for the surrounding community. A broken sewer line also introduces a serious biohazard, creating unsafe working conditions and requiring costly environmental cleanup. Properly managing these wastewater systems starts with knowing exactly where they are before you dig.

Telecommunication Lines

In our connected world, telecommunication lines are the backbone of communication. This category includes everything from old copper telephone wires to the fiber optic cables that power our internet, phone, and cable TV services. While hitting one might not seem as immediately dangerous as striking a gas or electric line, the financial and logistical fallout can be massive. Severing a single fiber optic cable can knock out service for thousands of people and businesses, leading to significant repair costs and liability for the damages. Since many of these lines are non-metallic, they can be missed by traditional locating methods, making advanced detection techniques critical.

How to Request a Dig Alert Ticket

Requesting a Dig Alert ticket is a non-negotiable first step for any excavation project, big or small. The process is designed to be straightforward, but it requires careful attention to detail to ensure you’re fully compliant and your site is safe. Think of it as a pre-flight check for your project—each step is essential for preventing utility strikes, costly delays, and dangerous accidents. From gathering your information to confirming that all utilities have responded, following the correct procedure protects your crew and your timeline. This public utility locating service is your starting point for understanding what lies beneath your job site. While it won't cover private lines, which is where a service like private utility locating comes in, it's the mandatory first layer of safety. Here’s how to get it done right.

Gather Your Project Information

Before you can get your ticket, you need to have your project details organized. The most important piece of information is the exact location of your job site. When you contact DigAlert, you’ll need to provide this so they can notify every utility company with assets in your work area. Be prepared with a precise address, the nearest cross-streets, and a clear description of where on the property you plan to dig. Having this information ready will make the process smoother and ensure the right locators are dispatched to the correct spot without any guesswork or delays.

Submit Your Request

Once your information is ready, it’s time to officially request your ticket. The easiest way to do this is online through the DigAlert Direct service. This platform lets you create a new ticket or renew an existing one right from your computer or phone. Submitting your request online streamlines the entire process, creating a clear digital record and helping you get your project in the queue quickly. It’s a simple step that kicks off the crucial communication between you and the public utility operators, ensuring everyone is aware of your planned excavation and that your legal obligations are met from the start.

Respect the Mandatory Waiting Period

After you submit your ticket, you can’t start digging right away. In California, there’s a mandatory waiting period you must follow. You are required to contact 811 at least two full working days before your planned excavation, and the day you make the call doesn’t count toward that total. This isn't just a suggestion—it's the law. This two-day window gives utility companies the time they need to dispatch their crews, locate their underground lines, and mark the area properly. Rushing this step puts your crew, your project, and the public at risk, so plan ahead and build this waiting period into your schedule.

Confirm Your Ticket is Active

Submitting your request is just the first step; you also need to confirm that every utility has responded. Before you break ground, check the status of your ticket using DigAlert’s Electronic Positive Response (EPR) system. This tool shows you which utility companies have been notified and whether they have marked their lines, cleared the area (meaning they have no lines there), or need more information. Don’t assume that no marks mean no lines. Using the EPR system is your final safety check to ensure you have the all-clear from every single stakeholder before the real work begins.

Follow These Safe Digging Best Practices

Calling 811 is the critical first step in any excavation project, but it’s not the last. True on-site safety depends on the practices your crew follows after the marks are on the ground. By integrating a few key habits into your workflow, you can protect your team, avoid costly damages, and keep your project on schedule. Think of these steps not as extra work, but as the foundation of a successful and incident-free dig.

Plan Your Excavation

Before breaking ground, your first move is always to contact 811. This is required by law and kicks off the process of getting public utilities marked. A solid plan goes further: review all available site plans and as-builts to get a preliminary idea of what lies beneath. Make sure your entire crew understands the project scope and knows a locate has been requested. Proper excavation planning ensures everyone is on the same page from day one, minimizing confusion and risk.

Know When to Hand Dig

Those colorful marks on the ground indicate a "tolerance zone" around the buried utility, typically extending 18 to 24 inches on either side. Within this area, you must use hand tools or soft digging methods like vacuum excavation to carefully expose the utility. Using an excavator inside the tolerance zone is a recipe for disaster. The goal is to visually confirm the exact location, depth, and direction of each line before you proceed with mechanical digging nearby. This careful approach is your best defense against a utility strike.

Use Equipment Safely

Operating heavy machinery requires constant awareness around marked utilities. It's the law to have a valid DigAlert ticket before using power digging equipment. Operators should stay well outside the tolerance zone until each utility is safely exposed by hand. Using a dedicated spotter is another excellent practice. A spotter’s only job is to watch the equipment in relation to the marks, providing an extra set of eyes to prevent accidental contact.

Clearly Mark Your Dig Area

To get the most accurate locate, clearly communicate your plans to the locators. Before they arrive, outline your proposed excavation area using white paint, flags, or stakes. White is the universal color for proposed digging, telling the locator exactly where to focus. This simple step ensures all utilities within your work zone are identified and prevents marking outside your scope. A well-marked site leads to a more efficient locate and a safer job.

What Happens if You Don't Call?

Skipping the call to Dig Alert might seem like a way to save time on a tight schedule, but it’s a gamble that can cost you far more than a few days. The consequences aren't just about project delays; they involve serious legal, financial, and safety risks that can derail a project entirely. When you break ground without knowing what’s below, you’re taking a blind risk with critical infrastructure. Hitting a gas line can lead to evacuations and explosions, while severing a fiber optic cable can knock out communication services for an entire community.

The responsibility for any damage falls squarely on the excavator. This includes not only the cost of repairs but also potential fines and legal action. These incidents create a ripple effect, causing service outages for residents and businesses and damaging your company's reputation. Even if you do everything right and call 811, remember that public locators only mark publicly owned utilities. They won't find private lines on your property, which is why professional utility locating services are essential for a complete and safe site assessment.

Fines and Legal Penalties

Ignoring the requirement to call 811 before you dig is a direct violation of state law, and the penalties are severe. California enforces these regulations strictly to protect public safety and infrastructure. If you proceed with excavation without a valid Dig Alert ticket and damage an underground utility, you could be facing significant fines. According to the City of Hesperia, these penalties can reach as high as $50,000. This isn't just a slap on the wrist; it's a substantial financial blow designed to deter negligence. These fines can be levied against both the individual excavator and the company, making it a risk that no project manager or contractor can afford to take.

Liability for Damaged Utilities

Beyond government fines, you are also financially liable for the damage you cause. If you strike a utility line, you will be held responsible for the full cost of repairs, which can easily run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. This includes labor, materials, and any costs associated with service outages. More importantly, the liability extends to any injuries or loss of life that result from the accident. As DigAlert.org points out, unsafe digging can lead to severe injuries and legal problems. The financial and emotional costs of such an incident can be devastating for a business, making the simple, free call to 811 an essential first step in risk management.

Incident Reporting Requirements

If an accident does occur and a utility line is damaged, your legal obligations don't stop there. In California, you are required by law to report the incident. Any damage to underground lines must be reported to the appropriate authorities, including the Underground Safety Board. This is not an optional step. Failing to report a utility strike can lead to additional penalties and legal complications. The state’s utility locating regulations are in place to ensure that all incidents are documented and addressed properly to prevent future accidents. This reporting requirement underscores the seriousness with which the state treats excavation safety and holds all parties accountable for their actions on a job site.

When Dig Alert Isn't Enough

Calling 811 is a critical first step for any excavation project, but it’s not the last. The public utility locating service, known as Dig Alert in California, only marks the lines that are owned and maintained by public utility companies. This service stops at the meter. Any utility lines running from the meter to a building, or between buildings on a property, are considered private and will not be marked. This leaves a major information gap that can lead to dangerous and expensive accidents. For a complete and accurate picture of what’s underground, you need to go a step further.

Locating Private Utilities on Your Property

Think about all the lines that might exist on a commercial property past the main meter: electrical lines for parking lot lights, water pipes for irrigation systems, gas lines to a backup generator, or fiber optic cables connecting buildings. None of these are covered by the 811 service. Over the years, many properties have had utilities added or modified without any official maps being updated. This lack of records means you’re digging blind. A private utility locating service is the only way to identify these hidden lines and ensure your project site is truly clear for excavation.

Finding What Public Locators Miss

Even for public utilities, the records that 811 technicians rely on can be old, incomplete, or just plain wrong. Utility maps often fail to reflect recent changes or repairs, leading to inaccurately marked lines. Relying solely on the paint on the ground can give you a false sense of security. Professional locators use advanced equipment to verify the location of public utilities and find what the initial survey missed. By creating a comprehensive subsurface utility map, you can confirm the location of every line, preventing unexpected strikes and project delays.

How to Find Non-Metallic Lines

Another major challenge is detecting utilities that aren't made of metal. Traditional locating tools use electromagnetic (EM) signals to find conductive pipes and cables. However, these tools can’t detect non-metallic lines like PVC water pipes, concrete sewer lines, or fiber optic cables housed in plastic conduit. To find these materials, you need Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR sends radio waves into the ground and reads the returning signals to create an image of what’s below. It’s an essential technology for getting a complete view of all subsurface infrastructure, regardless of what it’s made of.

Detecting Deeply Buried Utilities

Sometimes, the challenge isn’t what a utility is made of, but how deep it is. Standard locating equipment can struggle to detect utilities buried at significant depths, leading to inaccurate marks or missed lines altogether. This is a serious risk for projects that involve deep excavation, drilling, or boring. Specialized equipment and experienced technicians are required to accurately locate deep targets and provide precise depth estimations. Working with expert crews ensures that even the most challenging targets are identified, protecting your team and your project timeline from start to finish.

Get a Complete Picture of Your Subsurface

Calling Dig Alert is the essential first step for any excavation, but it’s important to remember what the service doesn’t cover. Public utility locators are only responsible for marking the lines they own, and their responsibility typically ends at the meter or service tie-in. That leaves a huge information gap on private property, where utilities like water lines running between buildings, electrical feeds for security gates, or old, abandoned pipes remain unmarked. These are the lines that can bring a project to a screeching halt.

Relying solely on public markings is a major risk for general contractors, facility managers, and environmental consultants. Public utility maps are often outdated, and the locating methods used can miss non-metallic lines, unrecorded repairs, or deeply buried infrastructure. When you’re planning soil borings, trenching for new fiber, or upgrading a site, you can’t afford to guess what lies beneath the surface. This is where private utility locating services become critical. A private scan gives you a comprehensive map of all subsurface utilities—not just the public ones. This complete picture is the only way to ensure your project stays safe, on schedule, and on budget, preventing the kind of costly surprises that no one wants to explain to a client.

Using Advanced GPR and EM Technology

To find what public locators miss, you need the right tools for the job. We use a combination of advanced technologies to paint a complete picture of the subsurface. Electromagnetic (EM) locators are excellent for tracing conductive utilities like metal pipes and electrical cables. But what about everything else? That’s where Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) comes in. GPR sends radio waves into the ground, allowing us to detect non-metallic lines like PVC and concrete, as well as other buried objects like old foundations or septic tanks. By combining these methods, we can accurately locate a much wider range of underground utilities and prevent dangerous surprises during excavation.

Get Clear, Engineer-Ready Maps

A successful project depends on clear communication and accurate data. Unfortunately, many public utility maps fail to reflect recent changes or provide the level of detail needed for complex jobs. Instead of just getting paint on the ground, you need clear, reliable maps that your entire team can use for planning and execution. We deliver clean, engineer-ready subsurface utility mapping that accurately depicts the underground environment. This ensures every stakeholder, from the project manager to the equipment operator, is working with the same precise information, minimizing the risk of costly strikes and miscommunication.

Work Directly with Expert Crews

The best technology is only as effective as the person operating it. Overcoming the challenges of utility locating requires skill, experience, and a strategic approach. That’s why we believe in providing direct access to our expert crews. When you work with us, you’re not dealing with call centers or subcontractors. You communicate directly with the trained technicians who are in the field, scanning your site. This direct collaboration means you get clear answers and efficient service, ensuring your project is conducted safely and without unnecessary delays. It’s a hands-on approach that minimizes risk and keeps your job moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between calling Dig Alert and hiring a private locator? Think of it as two essential halves of a complete safety check. Dig Alert is your mandatory first step for public safety. They notify companies like the gas and electric provider to mark the lines they own, which usually stop at your property's meter. A private locator takes over from there, finding all the lines on the property itself—the electrical running to a parking lot light, the water line for an irrigation system, or old, forgotten pipes that don't show up on any official map.

How long is my Dig Alert ticket good for? In California, a Dig Alert ticket is valid for 28 days. If your project work extends beyond that timeframe, you must submit a request to renew it before it expires. It’s a good habit to track your ticket's expiration date as part of your project management to ensure you remain compliant and your site stays safe for the entire duration of the work.

Does Dig Alert tell me how deep the utilities are buried? This is a common and important question. The marks from Dig Alert do not indicate the depth of a utility line. They only show the approximate horizontal location. The actual depth can vary significantly due to past grading, erosion, or landscaping changes. This is why the law requires you to carefully hand dig within the "tolerance zone" around the marks to visually confirm the exact location and depth of each line before using heavy equipment nearby.

What should I do if I accidentally hit an underground line? First, ensure the safety of your crew. Stop all work immediately and clear the area. If you suspect you've hit a natural gas or electrical line, leave the equipment where it is, evacuate to a safe distance upwind, and call 911 right away. For any other utility strike, like water or communications, you should still clear the area and contact the utility owner directly. You are also legally required to inform Dig Alert of the incident.

The two-day waiting period is over, but my site isn't fully marked. What now? Do not start digging. If the waiting period has passed, your first step is to check your ticket status online using Dig Alert's Electronic Positive Response (EPR) system. This tool will show you which utilities have responded. If a company has not responded or marked its lines, you should contact Dig Alert again to file a "no response" complaint. Proceeding without a response from every notified utility is unsafe and puts you in violation of the law.