Become a partner in damage prevention and follow these important steps when planning any type of project that involves digging, regardless of the project size or depth.
The Act requires excavators pre-mark the area by physically pre-marking, providing a clear and concise verbal description or electronic white lining (when available). This allows member locators to understand the size and scope of the project.
Physical Pre-marking
Pre-marking is the process of marking the dig area with white paint, chalk, lathe, whiskers, flags, or electronic white lining prior to contacting JULIE. Unless otherwise stated on the request, all pre-marks are considered a request for a 5-foot radius of an
above ground fixed structure or single point pre-mark, or a 10-foot-wide path for linear work. In winter months, black paint or flags may be used when snow is present. Pre-marking allows member locators to complete their work more efficiently and makes it easier for excavation crews to identify the dig area.
The next step is submitting a locate request through JULIE.
Information needed
Please have the following information available:
Ways to submit a request
2 days not including the day of the notification, weekends, or JULIE holidays
The dig start date and time, if providing the minimum advance notice, will be at 12:01 a.m. 2 days after the day you contact JULIE. State law requires the project to begin within 10 days after the day of the issuance of the Dig Number.
Dig number
Ticket life
Re-marks can be added to an extended locate request to specify the area where excavation is to continue be re-marked instead of the entire scope provided on the initial locate request.
Locate request extensions maintain the same Dig Number as the initial locate request for a period of up to five months from the initial call. Projects that require a longer period to complete will be issued a new Dig Number at the end of the five-month period.
Holidays
While JULIE agents and online request options are available on JULIE recognized holidays, members usually have crews on call to handle emergencies only. Therefore, in addition to weekends, the following days are not included in the determination of the advance notice:
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday is observed. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed.
After receiving notification from JULIE, member companies may use a combination of flags, lathe with colored ribbon, chalk, whiskers, or paint as dig site and seasonal conditions warrant. If the approximate location of an underground utility facility is marked with paint, stakes or other physical means, the following color code is employed:
Other colors of flags or marks at a dig site may include white, which shows the extent of the proposed excavation area and is used in pre-marking prior to making a locate request, or pink which indicates a temporary survey.
Once the facility owners’ or operators’ marks are placed, it is the responsibility of the excavator to maintain those marks.
Marks
Members’ locate staff (not JULIE personnel) mark the approximate location of the underground utility facilities. “Approximate location” is a strip of land at least 3 feet wide, but not wider than the width of the underground utility facility plus 1.5 feet on either side of the facility based upon the markings made by the owner or operator of the facility. To verify the location of the underground utility facility, employ hand or vacuum excavation methods to the depth of your proposed excavation and visually inspect the excavation while in progress until clear of the existing marked facility.
Cleared
If a JULIE member company has no underground utility facilities in the proposed area of the excavation, they are required by law to communicate this to the excavator by the requested dig start date and time on the notice. For Emergency Requests, notification should occur within 2 hours or by the date and time requested, whichever is later.
Notification can be done by:
Tolerance zone
Private facilities
JULIE member companies only mark the underground utility facilities they own, operate and/or maintain. They do not mark private underground lines which are lines installed beyond the JULIE member company’s ownership. These lines are considered customer-owned or private lines.
Examples of private lines may include but are not limited to:
Water member companies mark the main lines in easements and the public right-of-way , service lines from the main lines to a water meter or curb valve, whichever is closest to the main line. However, they are not required to mark the water lines from a meter or curb valve to a home or building. Sewer member companies mark the main lines and some mark the sewer lateral line within the easement or public right–of-way but are not required to mark any portion of a lateral service to a home or building.
Check with your local water or sewer provider to determine their ownership and maintenance and marking standards.
Electric member companies mark the lines to the meter at residential properties, but not those running to swimming pool pumps and heaters, irrigation systems or other buildings on the property. Non-residential property owners should check with their electric company to determine if any or all of the electric lines will be marked by the electric company.
Private lines will be part of almost every job. Take time to survey the jobsite for signs of private lines:
Take a few moments to review these issues with the property owner prior to beginning excavation, but keep in mind that previous property owners may have installed lines that the current owners do not know about.
Do not dig until the buried lines are identified and marked. JULIE member companies DO NOT mark privately installed lines. These lines can be marked by hiring a private locator.
Even the most cautious professional excavator or homeowner can occasionally cause damage to a buried line. If an underground utility facility is damaged or dislocated, the Act requires that the excavator responsible for the excavation or demolition immediately notify the affected utility and JULIE at 811 or 1 (800) 892-0123.
Please be prepared to give the following information to the JULIE agent:
JULIE’s agents may be able to assist with contact numbers for notifying JULIE member companies.
In the event of damage to an underground utility facility that results in the escape of a flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid, the person responsible for the excavation or demolition must:
DO NOT attempt to repair, clamp or constrict a damaged utility line unless under the direct supervision of the utility owner.
Cleanup of job site/removal of flags
When the job is complete, take the time to backfill properly. Remove large rocks, sharp objects, and large chunks to reduce the risk of damage while backfilling around underground utility facilities. All flags should be removed from the job site as the final step prior to leaving the area.