Miss Utility: Call 811 Before You Dig

As a Utility Owner-Member, WSSC Water partners with Miss Utility to remind everyone of the importance of calling before digging to mark all underground utility lines to prevent unnecessary damage.

What is 811?

It is the national number to help protect homeowners and professional excavators from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects of any size.

Why Call 811?

Every digging project requires a call to 811. Hitting an underground utility line while digging can:

• Harm the environment
• Cause serious personal injuries
• Disrupt service to an entire neighborhood
• Potentially incur fines and repair costs

When Should I Call 811?

You or your contractor should call at least 2 full business days prior to the start of the work in Maryland. 

How Does 811 Work?

Calling 811 at least 2 full business days prior to digging starts the process of getting underground utility lines marked for free.

Once Miss Utility is reached, a representative will ask for the location and description of the digging job. When they have that information, they will notify affected utility companies who will send out a professional locator to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of the lines.

When the underground lines have been marked, you will know the approximate location of your utility lines and can dig safely.

What Happens if I Don't Call?

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• Approximately 170,000 underground utilities are damaged each year by digging.
• One out of every three incidents is caused by someone who did not call 811 before digging.
• Knowing approximately where underground utility lines are buried before each digging project helps to prevent these situations.

Are There Penalties for Violating the Miss Utility Law?

The Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority has the ability to assess civil penalties in enforcement of the Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Law, more commonly known as the “Miss Utility” or 811 law. Visit the authority's website to learn more.

SAFE DIGGING IS NO ACCIDENT, BEFORE YOUR SHOVEL HITS THE GROUND, CONTACT THE MISS UTILITY CALL CENTER.

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Related Information

• Miss Utility
  • Information for Excavators
  • Information for Homeowners
  • Miss Utility Resources Page (includes several downloadable brochures, in both English and Spanish)
• Maryland Occupational Safety and Health