Positive Response

JULIE’s Positive Response is a system that member utility companies will use to communicate the status of a locate request notification to the excavator through a series of codes.  The state law requires that all member utility companies respond to every locate request notification they receive.

Starting on January 1, 2026, all responses must be submitted through the Positive Response system. JULIE’s Positive Response system will be available later this year.

How Does it Work?

Positive Response allows member utility companies to enter on the JULIE system how they responded to each locate request notification they receive. JULIE’s system then publishes these responses for the locate request notification. This information is now available online for professional excavators and homeowners.

To Check Positive Response

• Professional excavators and homeowners must check the response status from the member utility companies that were notified on their notification request prior to digging.

• Have your ticket number available to access the system.

Click here to check members’ responses to your tickets

Click here for a reference guide for Positive Response codes

To Post a Positive Response

Each member utility company communicates to the excavator the status of the locate request notification closing the communication loop. Member utility companies have two options to post positive response codes:

• Automated responses through third party software and/or a ticket management system. Complete this form to receive an API and additional information from JULIE’s Member Services Department

• Manually enter responses by logging into the system here. Need a username and password to post to the Positive Response system? Use this form to request credentials.

Click here for explanation of codes and their uses

Positive Response Training

No-cost training webinars about the Positive Response System for members and excavators.

Download the training guide for members

Positive Response for Excavators and Positive Response for Members

Download sample Positive Response email notifications for Members

60-minute demo of Positive Response for Members
90-minute demo of Positive Response for Members
60-minute demo of the Positive Response for Excavators
60-minute Closer Look at the Codes webinar
Beyond Reasonable Control (BRC) webinar

Download sample Positive Response email notifications for Excavators

Download a PDF with the steps to posting a Positive Response

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Positive Response codes mean? As an excavator or homeowner, how do I know if I’m legal to dig?

A: Every ticket will show a response code from each member utility company. These codes tell you whether it is legal to dig, if markings are complete, or if digging should not begin until you have further information. Click here to access the quick reference codes sheet for details. The response codes that indicate if you legal to begin digging include:

10 –  No Conflict/Clear (No facilities in the area) and 20 – Marked (All required facilities have been marked)

If all applicable member utility companies have posted a final response AND all marks match the scope, the excavator may begin work.

Beginning January 1, 2026, member response is legally required.

If you observe evidence of an unmarked facility (i.e. poles, markers, pedestals, meters, valves), please contact JULIE’s notification center immediately. An agent will resend the notice to the appropriate member utility company. In accordance with state law, the member utility company is responsible for marking the facility within two hours of the call, provided the excavator submitted the original notice as required.

Code 999 is automatically applied for any non-responding member utility company. 

If a utility does NOT post the required code:

  • The excavator is not legally clear to dig.
  • The excavator must treat it as an incomplete or no-show locate.
  • Contact JULIE at 811 or 1-800-892-1234 to request follow-up.
  • Document all outreach attempts.

If you arrive on site and do not see markings for a utility that reported the work area as marked, please contact the JULIE notification center immediately. An agent will resend the notice to the appropriate member utility company. Under state law, the member utility company is required to mark the facility within two hours of the call, provided the excavator submitted the original notice in compliance with all requirements.

They are not required to communicate an all-clear or no conflict by any other means according to state law, but member utility company may still require this based on internal policies.

The member utility company must post a positive response to an emergency ticket within one hour of the requested date and time listed on the ticket. This response must be submitted through the JULIE Positive Response system.

Yes.
A member utility company can request as many accounts as needed for your staff. Sharing a single login can create problems with the system and cause it to crash.  As a reminder, excavators do not need a login to check positive response.  They can view responses using their locate request (ticket) number.

Not currently.
The Positive Response system is mobile-friendly, browser-based, and works on:

  • iPhones
  • Android devices
  • Tablets
  • Laptops

Crews can check codes directly in the field by bookmarking the site and/or creating a shortcut to the webpage on the home screen of their mobile devices.

Most users receive logins within 7-10 business days. Approval may take longer during holiday periods. As a reminder, if the person requesting the login is not a JULIE member coordinator, the coordinator must approve the request prior to us activating the account. To request a login, use this form.  If you have ticket management software and need API integration, use this application.

 The member code is found in the upper left-hand corner of any delivered ticket. 

Questions?

If you are a member utility company who needs assistance with accessing the system or technical software questions, email memberinfo@julie1call.com.

General inquiries email info@julie1call.com

Positive Response is Coming in 2026