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CALL BEFORE YOU DIG . . . IT'S THE LAW

In Brief:

  • Call 8-1-1 anytime you dig
  • Give 3 days notice
  • Make sure all utilities marked the lines prior to digging
  • Examples of excavation - installing deck or fence posts, installing drainage pipes or swimming pools, removing tree stumps, digging trenches, replacing drivesways, laying foundations

811Know what's below. Call before you dig.
In Pennsylvania homeowners and contractors are required to contact PA One Call, by dialing 8-1-1 at least three business days before beginning any digging or excavation project. If you see someone else digging in that area, please give us a call at 800-609-4844. We'll verify that our lines have been properly located and marked.

Who should call PA One Call? When should I call?
Professional excavators and do-it-yourself homeowners. If a homeowner is doing the actual work then it is the responsibility of the homeowner to contact PA One Call. However, if a homeowner has hired a contractor to do the work then the contractor is required to contact PA One Call. PA One Call should be called no matter if the project is as simple as planting shrubs and trees or installing a new mailbox post. Pennsylvania law requires anyone planning to do any digging or excavation to contact PA One Call at least three days in advance.

Calling PA One Call is as easy as 8-1-1.
Underground power lines, communication cables, gas lines, water lines or other utilities may lie at various depths below the surface of your property or area of planned excavation. It is important to be safe before starting any digging or excavating by calling PA One Call and allowing time for utility companies to visit the area to mark the location of their underground facilities.

It is also important to respect the marks indicating the presence of underground utilities. Excavation should be carefully performed only after confirming that all utilities have marked the location of their facilities. Remember that the locating of underground utility lines or facilities is not an exact science and location marks have varying degrees of required accuracy. These can range from 18 to 24 inches from the actual line or facility.