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Call 811
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Digging-related damage is a major cause of pipeline accidents. 811, the national Call Before You Dig telephone number, initiates the process of marking the underground utility lines in your yard or on your job site. Your call to 811 will be routed to your local One Call Center in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia.
Local One Call Center personnel will then notify member utilities, such as Washington Gas, to mark the approximate locations of underground utility lines with high-visibility safety paint and/or flags.
This marking service is free.
Everyone, including homeowners and construction companies, should always call 811 at least two full business days (excluding weekends and holidays) before you are scheduled to begin any type of digging, regardless of size or depth.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- General digging
- Gardening
- Landscaping
- Home improvements and/or major construction
- Excavation
- Demolition
When using mechanized equipment, it’s the law. You must call 811 before you dig and you should not begin digging until the lines have been marked or confirmed as “no conflict.”
If you are unsure whether the underground utilities have been marked in your yard or on your job site, check back with your One Call Center to make certain there are no underground utilities where you plan to dig. If for some reason you cannot connect to 811, call 800-257-7777 in Washington, D.C. and Maryland or 800-552-7001 in Virginia.
Most importantly, dialing 811 can help avoid serious injury and even fatalities, as well as property damage and significant expenses that can occur when underground utilities are damaged.
Always call 811 before you dig, each dig and every dig.
To learn more about the 811 waiting period for line marking or to create a web ticket for an underground utility locate request, visit your state’s One Call Center website:
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Washington, D.C.: |
Maryland: missutility.net 811 or 800-257-7777 |
Virginia: Va811.com 811 or 800-552-7001 |
Additional Resources:
- Call811.com
- Common Ground Alliance
- 811 Insert
- Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority
For additional information, call Washington Gas’ Damage Prevention Hotline at 800-428-5364 with your questions and contact information. A Washington Gas representative will return your call.
Washington Gas and UtiliQuest have engaged in a multi-year partnership to uphold the company's commitment to provide a safe and reliable natural gas distribution system and service.