Dial 811.
Operators are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will be told which utilities will be notified and be provided a confirmation number as proof of your call. Also, if you outline the excavation area in white paint beforehand, it will help the utility locators find the dig site.
Note: Some water and sewer utility operators are not included in the one-call notification system. You may need to call them separately, in addition to 811.
Line and Power Safety
Locate Underground Lines:
Dial 811 from anywhere in Texas a few days prior to digging and your call will be routed to your local One Call Center. Tell the customer service representative where you're planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing. Your local utility companies will be notified about your intent to dig and will send a locator to mark the approximate location of their underground pipes and cables in your work area, free of charge. This way, you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.
Follow These 5 Steps to Stay Safe:
Texas law requires that you wait 48 hours before digging so the utility companies will have time to mark their underground lines.
Utility companies will mark the approximate location of their underground facilities near your work area with paint, flags, or stakes in the designated color code for marking underground utilities.
White: Proposed excavation
Pink: Temporary survey markings
Red: Electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables
Yellow: Gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials
Orange: Communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit
Blue: Potable water
Purple: Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
Green: Sewers and drain lines
Once the work begins, it's up to you to use safe, accepted digging practices. (For instance, always hand-dig when you're within two feet of any marked lines.) Make sure the marks remain visible during the project. If they are washed away or destroyed, Dial 811 for a free re-mark.
Remember, always Dial 811 before you start any digging project! You'll avoid injury, expense, embarrassment - and a very inconvenient day in the dark.
5. If you've damaged a utility line
If you damage a utility line, call Texas 811 immediately!
If you know that it is a COLLEGE STATION UTILITIES line, call UTILITY DISPATCH AT 855-528-4278. We answer emergency calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Report Trees In Power Line Easements:
Tree trimming around power lines is DANGEROUS!
If you see tree limbs growing into overhead electric lines, please call Utility Dispatch at 855.528.4278 and we'll send trained crews to check out the problem.