Tomorrow is the first day of April, which is Safe Digging Month. People should call 811 before digging to have electric gas and utility lines properly marked. Crews will do this in a matter of days and the service is free of charge.
Justin Foss with Alliant Energy recommends calling in even for landscaping, as internet lines could just be a few inches in the ground. He adds it is for safety.
The various colors of the flags indicate what type of utilities are there, for example orange flags designate communication, alarm or signal lines and red flags are for electric lines, conduit and lighting cables. Once the utilities are marked, it is recommended to try to stay 24 inches away from the marked lines.
Flag colors – meaning
White – proposed excavation
Pink – temporary survey markings
Red – electric lines, conduit and lighting cables
Yellow – gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous material
Orange – communication, alarm or signal lines
Blue – potable water
Purple – reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
Green – sewers and drain lines