Call 811 before you dig in Washington, Idaho, or Oregon
Stay safe while digging: click or call 811 first
When digging in your yard or project site, like planting a tree or putting up a fence, you need to be careful. There are important things underground, like gas, fiber, water, and electric utility lines.
What to do:
- Click or call 811 before you start: They will help locate utilities. State law mandates you click or call 811 at least two business days before you begin your digging project.
- Wait for the Utility Locate: After you call or submit a request, wait for a professional utility locator to come locate and mark the pipes and wires.
Understanding responsibilities:
- Avista's Responsibility: Avista typically owns and maintains lines up to your home’s meter.
- Homeowner's Responsibility: Lines extending beyond the main residence, such as to a garage or outbuilding, are the homeowner’s responsibility. For locating underground privately-owned lines, residents must hire a private line locating service.
This way, you can dig safely and avoid any accidents. Stay safe and have fun with your project!
Want to learn more? Watch a video: Call Before you Dig
What you need to know before you dig in Washington, Idaho and Oregon
Calling 811 will initiate a request for someone to visit your work site to mark the ground above utility lines.
- Mark the area: Use white paint or stakes to outline the dig area for the locator.
- Click or Call 811: Wait for all utility representatives listed on your locate ticket to mark their facilities.
- Respect the marks: Once utility lines are marked, do not move, or alter the marks until the lines are exposed.
- Check validity: Be aware of how long the markers remain valid, as this varies by state.
- Use hand tools: When digging within 24 inches of the marked area, only use hand tools to expose the utility line.
- Support gas pipelines: Secure exposed gas pipelines with nylon straps, wood shoring, and ropes to prevent breaks or ruptures.
- Proper backfill: Use sand or rock-free dirt as backfill.
- Private locates: Property owners can click or call 811 to request private locates for non-utility owned facilities, such as underground power or gas lines to an outbuilding.
- Report damage: If you expose or damage unmarked gas or electric lines, stop excavating and call us immediately at (800) 227-9187. We need to inspect the lines, even if gas isn’t leaking.
- Building restrictions: Never build decks or structures over our pipelines or meters. This poses a safety risk and prevents us from servicing the infrastructure. We may relocate our equipment to accommodate your project, but you could be responsible for the costs. Call us at (800) 227-9187 to learn more.
Avista typically owns and maintains lines up to the homes’ meter. Lines that extend beyond the main residence, such as to a garage or outbuilding, are the homeowner's responsibility. For locating underground privately-owned lines, residents must hire a private line locating service. See the diagram below.
How to find a locating service for privately-owned lines:
Click or call 811 and ask for a private locate and a list of private locating companies in your area..
Know what's below
Use this color-coded guide to identify the types of utility lines on your property.
| Utility line color coding The color of the paint, stake or other marker indicates what's below: |
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Proposed Excavation | |
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Temporary Survey Markings | |
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Electric | |
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Gas / Oil | |
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Communications / Cable TV | |
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Water | |
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Reclaimed Water | |
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Sewer | |
Never build or plant near pipelines
- Construction and digging can damage pipelines and pose a serious safety risk.
- Tree roots and other vegetation can wrap around pipelines and cause damage over time.
Keep access to pipelines clear
- Blocking access prevents monitoring and routine maintenance.
- Leave a 10-foot clearance on both sides of high-pressure natural gas pipelines.
Pipeline safety programs
- Avista uses Natural Gas Integrity Management programs to identify and reduce risks. •
- For more information, call (800) 227-9187.
Emergency Preparedness
- Avista is prepared to handle major disasters, like earthquakes, floods or train derailments.
- In the event of a major emergency, Avista will implement its Incident Response plan. We prioritize people’s safety first, then property.
Washington
The Washington Dig Law (19.122.031) states that activities exempt from 811 notice include: (b) An excavation of less than twelve inches in depth on private noncommercial property if the excavation is performed by the person or an employee of the person who owns or occupies the property on which the excavation is being performed, [and] (c) The tilling of soil for agricultural purposes less than:
(i) Twelve inches in depth within a utility easement; and
(ii) Twenty inches in depth outside of a utility easement.
Idaho
The Idaho Dig Law (55-2010) states that an excavation is only exempt from 811 notice when tilling soil to a depth of less than fifteen (15) inches for agricultural purposes.
Oregon
The Oregon Dig Law (952.001.0010) provides an exemption from 811 notice that states that the definition of “excavation” does not include tilling of soil for agriculture purposes when conducted on private property that is not within the boundaries of a recorded right of way or easement for underground facilities and does not exceed 18” in depth. The exemption for sidewalk, road and ditch maintenance is less than 12” in depth and work must not lower the original grade or ditch flow line.
Please review current dig laws
- Federal OSHA Requirements
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idaho