The days are getting shorter. The air is becoming cooler. That is a sign of one thing – the fall season is among us. As the heat tinkers down and the crisp autumn air begins to settle across the Commonwealth, Kentuckians are coming back outside with tools in one hand and a to-do list in the other.
Fall is prime time for outdoor DIY projects. Whether you are planting shrubs, sinking posts for a new fence, installing a patio deck or preparing a backyard firepit, before taking a shovel, auger or pickaxe to the ground, an essential first step is contacting 811.
Beneath our lawns and garden beds lies a rainbow of wires and lines for gas, electric and communications, and water and sewer pipes that keep Kentucky connected. Hitting one of these lines or pipes is more than a minor setback for a backyard update project. Digging in the wrong spot can cause dangerous leaks or explosions, cut off essential emergency communications services or trigger widespread electrical outages.
The mistake of not contacting 811 isn’t just costing time and energy. It also costs money. Striking lines or pipes can lead to massive repair bills, often starting at $2,500 for fiber optic lines or up to $5,000 for gas lines and serious community safety risks. This bill is coupled with a penalty from the Kentucky Public Safety Commission, which starts at $1,250.
Contacting 811 prior to beginning a digging project isn’t just for safety. It’s mandated by Kentucky law. The state requires anyone planning to dig, including homeowners doing basic yard work, to notify Kentucky 811 at least two full business days before breaking ground.
Protecting your household and community is simple, fast and completely free:
• Submit a request early: Call 811 or submit a ticket online at kentucky811.org at least two full business days before starting work.
• Wait for utility marking: Professional locators will visit your property to mark underground lines with color-coded paint or flags. Red = electric power lines, Yellow = gaseous materials, Orange = communications, Blue = potable water, Green = sewer and drain lines, Purple = reclaimed water, Pink = temporary survey markings, and White = proposed construction limits.
• Confirm “positive response”: Check Kentucky 811’s online portal or automated confirmation system to verify that every notified utility operator has responded and completed markings.
• Respect the tolerance zone: Maintain a 24-inch safety buffer on either side of marked utility lines. Within the tolerance zone, switch from power equipment to hand-digging.
Fall is one of the best times of the year for beautifying our home and outdoor spaces for the following spring and summer, but safety must always come first. As the Kentucky Public Service Commission emphasizes, safe digging is a community-wide responsibility. Before starting any excavation project, take two minutes to reach out to 811. It is a quick step that protects your family and neighbors and keeps your DIY project lawful and stress-free.
Kentucky Public Service Commission