Missourians encouraged to call 811 for authorized digging

MISSOURI (KQTV) -- Anyone who wishes to dig into the ground in Missouri must make contact with the Missouri 811 hotline.

Anything from digging ground for a new house, planting a tree or tilling a new garden is considered breaking ground and must be approved by the organization.

No matter the depth of the new dig, Missouri 811 must be notified to avoid any risk of injury to the individual breaking ground.

To contact Missouri 811, submit a ticket on their website or call the 811 number.

"Once a ticket is created, the utilities have two days to get out there and get the area marked up if they have anything underground," Missouri 811 Damage Prevention Specialist Andrea Fuhrer said. "Then, after two days and everyone's responded, then at that point you can carefully dig in that area."

More information about Missouri 811 can be found on their website.