Whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring for yard work, YOU are responsible for assuring the utilities on your property are clearly marked to avoid damage. It is important to make it known what is below the ground before you start to dig.
MISS DIG 811 is Michigan's ONLY resource to locate underground facilities.
Why to Call
It's the law: For your safety, Michigan law requires that all utility lines be flagged before beginning any excavation project. Use the free MISS DIG service to fulfill your legal requirement and avoid costly fines.
It's vital to your safety: Without knowing where utilities are buried, even digging with hand tools can result in damage to underground utilities, leading to service disruptions, costly repairs, and serious injuries.
How MISS DIG Works
Place a Locate Request: MISS DIG 811 processes that locate request by contacting our over 1,700 members, who then come out and locate their underground facilities.
Wait 3 Business Days: You cannot begin your excavation before the start time on your locate request, even if all utilities have been marked.
Confirm Status Online: You are required to check Positive Responses before digging. Be sure to keep the ticket number provided to you when placing your locate request.
Hand Dig: When digging within 4ft of paint or flags you should hand dig.
Dig Safely: Once you've hand exposed the underground utilities, you can carefully continue to dig using the necessary tools.
Flags: What do they mean?
RED: Electric
YELLOW: Gas, Oil, Steam, or Petroleum
ORANGE: Communications Systems
BLUE: Potable Water
PURPLE: Reclaimed Water Irrigation
GREEN: Sewer and Drain Lines
WHITE: Proposed Excavation
PINK: Temporary Surveying
If the flags are accidentally removed, call the MISS DIG System at 811 or 800-482-7171, or the contractor you have hired to do the work if they called MISS DIG 811 to have the flags placed, and indicate that you need the utility lines in your yard marked again.
Visit the MISS DIG website to submit a request: