WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Thank you for submitting your locate request to Indiana 811. What’s next? The following information will be helpful to you.

  • Make sure the locate technicians have access to the proposed excavation area and that there are no animals present at the site. 
  • You are responsible for having private lines marked on the property. Private lines are lines that are owned and maintained by the property owner. These may include but are not limited to, water and sewer lines from the meter to the home, septic lines, or underground lines servicing pools, grills, homeowner lighting, and outbuildings. Find out more information about private locating. 
  • If facility locates are required, the member utilities shall respond by marking their lines at the proposed excavation area in the color code representing their facility.
  • Effective January 1, 2025 – Before digging, Indiana Law requires that you check Indiana 811’s Positive Response system to verify that all utilities have responded. 
  • To check if the affected member utilities have provided Positive Response in Indiana 811’s System:
    • If you have an Exactix account, log in and view the Service Areas or Responses tab from within the ticket.
    • If you do not have an Exactix account, enter the ticket number and phone number using this tool to view the ticket text and responses. 
How to View Positive Response with an Exactix Account
How to View Positive Response without an Exactix Account
 
  • Call Indiana 811 (811 or 800-382-5544) if you have any questions about the utility response.
    • Through December 31, 2024 – If the member utilities have not marked their facilities or notified you (either through Indiana 811’s Positive Response system or their own) that the proposed excavation area is clear by the requested start date and time, call Indiana 811 (811 or 800-382-5544). Provide your ticket number and the name of the member(s) that did not respond to request an Additional Notice. 
    • Effective January 1, 2025 – If there is no response listed at the requested start date and time, contact Indiana 811 (811 or 800-382-5544). Provide your ticket number and the name of the member(s) that did not respond to request an Additional Notice. 
  • Now that the members have responded, you can begin digging with care.
    • The law mandates a two-foot tolerance zone on either side of the marks which means all outer limits of the underground facility, including above, below, and in a full radius surrounding the underground facility. In the tolerance zone, only certain types of excavation are allowed, such as only being permitted to dig with hand tools. The size of the tolerance zone will depend on the size of the underground facility, which is sometimes noted by the utility locating technicians.
    • Example: If a water line is marked as six inches wide, the tolerance zone on all sides of the line is two feet three inches from the mark. Only use mechanical equipment outside of the zone after you have exposed the line(s) by safely digging with hand tools. Learn more by reading the Indiana Dig Law and the IURC Rulemaking.
  • Locate requests are valid until 11:59pm ET on the 20th calendar day from the date submitted. If the digging will not be completed by that date, the markings become no longer visible, or your work location has changed, contact Indiana 811 immediately to request an update on your ticket.
    • Extension: If the digging will not be completed before the ticket expires, request an Extension at least 2 working days prior to the ticket expiration. Member utilities will have two full working days to respond to the Extension request. 
    • Remark: If the markings are no longer visible and the digging is not completed, stop digging and request a Remark. Member utilities will have two full working days to respond to the Remark request.
  • Interested in entering your locate requests online? Some key benefits are:
    • Created in under 2 minutes
    • Include attachments (pictures, plans, etc.) when creating a ticket
    • Access to satellite/aerial view maps when selecting the dig site
    • Create, update, or check positive response 24×7 

Calling our PRO Excavators!

We welcome you to become more involved in our grass roots damage prevention community by joining us at your local Damage Prevention Council meeting. We have three councils throughout the state. View meeting dates and times near you on our designated DPC page.