North Carolina 811, a non-profit organization funded by its member facilities, collects excavation information from anyone involved in excavation activities, including contractors, utilities, and homeowners.
The details of proposed excavation are then transmitted to member facility owners serving the specified excavation area. Our diverse membership includes utilities, municipalities, universities, and homeowner’s associations. Member facilities have a window of three full working days, starting at 11:59 pm on the day the notice is given, to mark the requested locate area for their underground utilities or notify the excavator of no conflict in that area.
It’s important to note that North Carolina 811 does not identify or locate facilities or utility easements. Our role is to notify facility operators about proposed excavations, send positive response information, and maintain required records as stipulated by the statute.
The 811 service is provided free of charge to all excavators. Additionally, North Carolina 811 accommodates requests from individuals who do not plan to excavate but seek information about utilities in a specific area, referred to as Survey/Design locate requests, requiring a 10-business day notice.
For easy access, North Carolina 811 offers a toll-free number, 1-800-632-4949, reachable throughout the continental United States, or you can simply dial 811 within North Carolina. It’s important to clarify that North Carolina 811 does not mark utility lines but serves as a communication link between excavators and utility owners.
Please also refer to the North Carolina Utilities Coordinating Committee page (NCUCC) and the North Carolina Underground Damage Prevention Review Board page (UDPRB).
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