What is 811?
811 is a new federally-mandated N-11 number designated by the FCC to consolidate all local "Call before you Dig" numbers and help save lives by minimizing damages to underground utilities. One easy phone call to 811 quickly and easily begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked. Local One Call Center personnel will then notify affected utility companies, who will continue to mark underground lines for free.
I'm Just A Homeowner, Not a Contractor - is 811 for me?
Calling 811 is for professional excavators and do-it-yourself homeowners. A recent national survey revealed that roughly half of Americans are "active diggers" who have done (or are planning to do) some type of digging project at home. Whether you are a professional excavator an avid DIY-er, you need to call 811 before every dig every time.
Why should I call 811 before I dig?
Calling 811 will help save lives and protect infrastructure. Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before each digging project begins helps protect you from injury, expense and penalties. The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in the same area. Even simple digging projects can damage utility lines an can disrupt vital services to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers, and potentially result in expensive fines and repair costs. Marked lines show diggers the approximate location of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences.
One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense. Know what's below. Always call 811 before you dig.
Iowa law requires that any person, home-owner, professional, public or private entity, planning to engage in any form of excavation within the State of Iowa, must notify the Iowa One Call notification system, at 811 or www.iowaonecall.com, at least 48 hours prior to excavating. The Iowa One Call notification system is a free call and a free service to all persons planning an excavation within the State of Iowa. The required 48 hours advance notice does not included Saturdays and Sundays or legal holidays.
Safety First, Always!
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. One free, easy call before you begin digging, no matter big or small, will help keep you and your communities safe and connected.
