Operations & Maintenance - Call Before You Dig

Planning a remodel or other construction? Whether you're digging with heavy equipment, or a shovel or post hole digger, be sure to call for an underground utility locate before you dig. There might be underground utility lines in your yard. A utility locate can prevent damage to lines, property damage, and personal injury, and it's the law! (RCW.19.122) If you're digging more than 12 inches in depth, you are required to call for a utility locate.

Please note that the City of Olympia only locates its City-owned utilities, and only when requested through a locate ticket by calling 1-800-424-5555.

How do I schedule a utility locate? Call the Utilities Underground Location Center, at 1-800-424-5555, at least two full business days before you dig. You may also request a utility locate online by visiting www.callbeforeyoudig.org at least two business days before you dig.

Is there a charge? If you are a homeowner doing the digging for yourself on your property, and you are not requesting an underground utility locate for work being done by a professional excavator or contractor, there is no charge.

Color code: The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Code for underground utility markings is shown in the table below.

	White marks indicate proposed excavation
	Pink marks indicate temporary survey markings
	Red marks indicate electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
	Yellow marks indicate gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials
	Orange marks indicate communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit
	Blue marks indicate potable water
	Purple marks indicate reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
	Green marks indicate sewers and storm lines

Questions? Call Public Works at (360) 753-8588, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or email us.