Why You Call 811 Before Sewer Digging in Arkansas

A sewer line often runs through the same strip of yard as the gas service and the water line. On a replacement or spot repair, the crew may dig within a few feet of all three. Marking them first is what keeps the job safe.

How Does the 811 Process Work?

1. Call or file online

   The contractor contacts Arkansas 811 with the address and the area to be dug.

2. Utilities are notified

   Each utility with lines in the area is sent the request.

3. Lines are marked

   Locators paint or flag their lines on the ground.

4. Dig with care

   Crews hand dig near the marks, since the markings show an approximate location.

How Much Notice Does Arkansas 811 Need?

• At least 2 full working days before excavation or demolition, and no more than 10 full working days.
• Utilities have 2 working days to locate and mark their facilities.
• A ticket is effective for 20 working days. Work that runs longer needs a new ticket.

What Do the Flag and Paint Colors Mean?

These are the standard colors used across the United States.

What Does 811 Not Mark?

811 marks lines owned by utility companies up to the meter or service point. It generally does not mark private lines that belong to you, such as:

• Your private sewer lateral.
• A gas line from the meter to a grill, pool heater or shop.
• Power run to a detached garage, lights or a well pump.
• Sprinkler lines and landscape lighting.

That is why we locate the sewer line itself with a camera and transmitter, and ask you about any private lines you know of before we dig.

What Happens If a Line Gets Hit?

A nicked gas line can leak into the soil or the trench, a cut power line can shock the person holding the shovel, and a broken fiber line can knock out internet for the whole street. If any line is hit, stop digging, move everyone away and call 911 for gas or electric strikes before calling the utility. Beyond the danger, the digger can be held responsible for repair costs if the dig was not called in. For a homeowner, that is a risk with no upside when the call is free.

Who Makes the Call?

Arkansas law puts the notice on the person or company responsible for the excavation. On our jobs, that is us: when the work requires digging, we make the 811 notification and wait for the marks, so you do not have to figure it out. If you are doing your own digging, even planting a tree or setting fence posts, you make the call yourself. It is free either way.

What About Emergency Sewer Repairs?

A sewage backup can be stopped by clearing the line, which needs no digging. Arkansas does have an emergency exception when excavation is needed to repair or restore service, or to deal with an imminent danger to life, health, property or public safety. In that case the normal advance notice does not apply, but the responsible party must give oral notice to the One Call Center as soon as practicable and ask for emergency help locating and protecting underground lines. Even then, the crew digs carefully and by hand near likely utilities.

Why It Matters in Pine Bluff

Older neighborhoods often have lines that were added, moved or abandoned over decades, and records are not always exact. Many yards also have gas services running close to the sewer lateral. Waiting for marks and digging carefully avoids a much bigger problem than a clogged drain. Read how deep sewer lines are buried for more on locating before digging.

See sewer line replacement, or read how we approach sewer line repair in Pine Bluff.

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