How to Use Us

Call before you dig, wait 48 hours for the site to be marked, observe the marks and dig with care.  Our service is free.

Dial 811 to reach Louisiana One Call or phone 1-800-272-3020 48 hours in advance, excluding weekends and holidays, before digging is scheduled to begin.

Plan your work.  For larger projects, call in
only the work that can be accomplished within a
ten-day period.  Click here for a special message
to Louisiana One Call members.

Have the following information available:

• Name and telephone number of the excavator and name and telephone number of the company
• Date and time the work is scheduled to begin
• Specific location address or description of
  the work site
• Nearest intersecting roadway to the work site
• Distance and direction of the work site from the nearest intersection
• Advise the one-call operator if explosives will be used

Record the locate request number provided by the one-call operator. It is your proof of the call and may be requested by an enforcement agency.

If digging activity comes within 18 inches of a utility line or pipeline, exercise extreme caution. Hand digging is recommended to expose the buried line.

Markings for underground utilities are considered valid as long as they are visible up to ten calendar days from the "mark-by" time.  The "mark-by" time is provided by the one-call operator and excludes holidays and weekends. For larger projects, call in only the work that can be accomplished within a ten-day period.

If damage occurs, notify the utility operator or pipeline company directly.

If there is an emergency situation (danger to life, health or property requiring immediate attention), take steps to safeguard health and property.

Wherever possible use white paint, stakes or flags to mark the proposed excavation area.

Remember, not all utilities are Louisiana One Call members.  You should call non-member utility operators directly.

It's the law!  Civil Penalties range up to $25,000 for violations of the "Dig" law.