April is National Safe Digging Month.

Are you planning a yard-improvement project that involves digging? If so, be sure to call 811. By calling, local utilities will be informed that you intend to dig on your property. They then will mark any of their underground lines that are near your project with colored paint or flags. These are color coordinated to identify what lines are below. Once lines have been marked, you must not dig within 18 inches on either side of the markings, which creates a safety or “tolerance” zone.

What the colors mean:

Proposed Excavation

Power/Electric

Gas, Oil or Steam

Communications

Water

Sewer or Drain Line

Reclaimed Water

Temporary Survey