05/21/2025
You did the right thing and called 811 three business days before you started your landscape project. The public utilities have been marked with flags or paint. Here are a couple more things to consider before you place the first shovel in the ground. Underground locating services like Diggers Hotline do not locate private lines like propane lines, sewer laterals, sprinkler systems, ornamental lighting and electric lines to a barn or garage. You will need to hire a locating company to mark private lines. In addition, you must use hand tools, no mechanical equipment, when digging within 18” of underground utilities. Since locating is not an exact science the 18” is on each side of the flag or painted line marking the utilities' location. If you haven’t already called, make sure to call 811 three business days in advance. In Wisconsin, residents can also file online at www.DiggersHotline.com . Gardeners in any other state can also visit https://call811.com/811-In-Your-State . This free service can reduce the risk of injury, inconvenience, and the expense of paying for the repair of damage if this step is skipped and damage to an underground utility occurs.