Missouri 811 encourages safe digging ahead of outdoor projects  

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Missouri 811 is a nonprofit call center that helps connect people with utility companies before they dig.  

The organization also has educators located across the state who work to spread awareness about the importance of calling 811. 

Andrea Fuhrer, damage prevention manager for Missouri 811, said anyone planning to dig anywhere in Missouri should contact 811 first.  

“Or you can get online at Missouri-811.org and submit a ticket that way because it is a free service available for anyone digging,” she said.  

Fuhrer said Missouri 811 does not mark underground utility lines itself and is not an enforcement agency. Instead, it notifies the utility companies, which either send someone to mark their lines or handle the locating themselves. 

When someone calls 811 or submits a request online, they provide information about where they plan to dig and what kind of work they're doing.  

“Your name, what kind of equipment you are going to be using all the things they ask and then at that point the utilities will have three days to respond,” Fuhrer said.  

Once the utilities have either marked their underground lines or determined there is no conflict, they'll update the ticket to let the homeowner know it's safe to begin digging around those utilities. 

Fuhrer said one of the biggest misconceptions is that utility lines are always buried several feet underground.  

“Most people think utilities are two, three or four feet deep, but there can be utilities that are just a couple of inches under the ground,” Fuhrer added.  

Fuhrer said even small landscaping projects can lead to costly damage if people don't know where underground utility lines are located.  

Whether it's planting a tree, putting in a garden, planting flowers or installing a fence, she said taking the time to request utility locates helps protect underground infrastructure and keeps everyone safe.