When to Contact

You may be surprised by what’s buried in your yard. That’s because most electric, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications companies are delivering utility services underground. Across the country, every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without calling a one-call center such as JULIE first.

Protect yourself and your family. State law requires you to notify JULIE at least two business days (excludes weekends and holidays) before any digging project regardless of the project size or depth. Even if you are digging in the same area as a previous project, notify JULIE. This is a free service.

You can prevent injury and avoid damage by following these five important steps:

  • Pre-mark or outline the proposed dig area using white paint or flags
  • Call or click JULIE before you dig
  • Wait 2 business days
  • Respect the marks
  • Dig with care

Examples of common projects requiring notification to JULIE first:

TREES AND SHRUBS
FENCING
DECKS AND PATIOS
ROOM ADDITIONS
SWING SETS
MAILBOX POSTS
SIGNS AND SHEDS
GARDENS
FOUNTAINS
SWIMMING POOLS
TENTS
LANDSCAPING

For your convenience, you can enter a self-service, locate request anytime (24/7/365) using E-Request or by simply calling 8-1-1 or 1-800-892-0123. When you call, you will speak with a helpful JULIE call center agent who will take the location and description of the project site and notify affected member facility owners and operators. Within 2 business days, these members will then send a professional locator to mark the approximate location of their underground utility lines with small color-code flags or paint at no cost. JULIE’s free Homeowner’s Guide provides helpful information.  You can download a copy here.

JULIE personnel do not perform locating or marking services, however we alert our member utility companies so they can mark your property for safe digging. See what those different flags mean.

As a reminder, member utility companies are only required to mark the underground lines that they own, not privately installed or owned lines. Click here for details.