Q: What is 811?
A: 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 mark underground lines for free.

Q: Why should I call 811 before every dig?
A: Even simple digging projects can damage utility lines and 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. 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.

Q: I’m just a homeowner, not a contractor—is 811 for me?
A: 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 or an avid do-it-yourselfer, you need to call 811 before every dig every time. If you’re within RTC’s service area you can reach North Dakota One Call by dialing 811 on your landline telephone or you can also reach them at 1.800.795.0555.

You can also submit your request on-line by going to www.ndonecall.com, and click on Homeowners.