Stay safe and avoid underground utilities. Contact 811 before you dig. This notification system is designed to prevent utility line interruption and damage, as well as personal injury. Contacting 811 is required for any size digging project - even planting trees can be hazardous if 811 is not notified beforehand.
811 is the national number designated by the Federal Communications Commission to help protect do-it-yourselfers, landscapers, and contractors from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects—large and small. When should someone contact 811?
Do-it-yourselfers and contractors should reach 811 at least two business days before ANY digging project. A few common examples include but are not limited to:
- Putting in a fence
- Planting trees or shrubbery
- Installing a sprinkler system
- Pool installation
- Installing a mailbox
- Grading, boring or trenching
- For Safety’s Sake! Hitting an underground utility line while digging can cause damage to the environment and/or serious personal injuries.
- Convenience. Failure to contact Georgia 811 can result in disrupted service to an entire neighborhood and potentially incur fines and repair costs.
- It’s free. Georgia 811 exists to prevent utility and safety emergencies, and it’s a free service!
- It’s the law. Please visit the Georgia Public Service Commission’s website at psc.state.ga.us for more information on Georgia’s “Dig Law”, the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act.
- An underground line is damaged every three minutes nationwide and nearly 1,300 damages are reported to Georgia 811 each month.
- Damage to underground lines can result in service interruptions, costly repair bills, and fines.
- Hitting a line can also cause serious harm to the digger and other individuals.