Call 811 Before You Dig One easy phone call to 811 gets the approximate location of underground utility lines marked for free. 811 is the new FCC-designated national number that quickly and easily begins the process of getting underground lines marked as the first step in any digging project. The new 811 number eliminates the confusion of multiple "Call Before You Dig" numbers because it’s easy to use and remember, and is the same in every state. One Call Centers will notify the affected utilities, who will then mark underground lines for free. It's Safe Why call 811? Knowing where your lines are buried before each digging project helps protect you from injury, expense and penalties. The depth of utility lines vary and multiple utility lines may exist in the same area. Damages to these lines can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers, and cost diggers fine and repair costs. It Can Help You Avoid Repair Expenses Know what’s below. Always call before you dig. According to a recent national survey, roughly half of all Americans are "active diggers" who have done (or are planning to do) some type of digging project at home, yet only about a third of these people have called to get their utility lines marked. Smart digging means calling 811 before each job because marked lines show diggers the approximate location of underground lines and help prevent undesired consequences. Now, with 811, there is no excuse not to call. It's The Law Tennessee state law requires anyone about to engage in digging, excavation, moving of earth, demolition, or any type of activity that could damage underground utility lines to notify the utility companies in that area of their intent to dig not less than three business days before the work is to begin. KUB and other member utilities will then locate their facilities at the proposed excavation site with paint or flags so you can avoid them during your excavation. Respect the markings and dig with care. Important: Always use extreme caution when you dig, and avoid digging within the utility safety zone. The safety zone is a strip of land the width of the utility, plus two feet on either side. Customer-owned service lines are not mapped and therefore may not be marked. Customer-owned lines include sewer laterals, underground electrical service lines, water lines, lines for outside lighting, invisible fencing, irrigation systems, customer fuel lines, or any other customer-owned line. Safety Resources For more information on the national 811 system click here. To find out more about your obligations to dig safely, visit Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) here. For information from the Department of Transportations's National Pipeline Mapping System about gas transmission pipelines in your area, click here. To understand more about Tennessee One-Call's efforts in damage prevention, please click here. To report damage to a KUB utility line, call (865) 524-2911. APWA UNIFORM COLOR CODE of marked underground utility lines White - Proposed excavation Pink - Temporary survey markings Red - Electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables Yellow - Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous materials Orange - Communication, alarm, or signal lines, cables or conduit Blue - Potable water Purple - Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines Green - Sewer and drain lines