Contact MISS DIG. It’s free and it’s the law.
Before you or a contractor begin digging on your property, call 811 or visit MISS DIG 811 to know what lies below ground. Michigan law requires anyone planning to do any type of digging to have the utility lines at the site marked before beginning a job.
Hitting a buried utility line may cause property damage, injury or death. Sometimes these lines are buried at a shallow depth. Follow the digging checklist below and learn about the utility flag color code that applies to all properties across Michigan.
Your Digging Checklist:
- Contact MISS DIG
Call 811 or go to MISS DIG 811 and select Submit Locate Request before undertaking every excavating or hand digging project. It's free, it's the law and it prevents accidents. - Wait Until Flags Are Placed
Wait at least three business days after contacting MISS DIG for local utilities to locate and place flags over their underground lines. - Expose Utility Lines by Hand Digging
Hand dig when digging within four feet of paint or flags. Once you have exposed the underground utilities by hand-digging, you can carefully continue to dig using necessary tools. Do not make assumptions about the depth and location of utility lines — a sharp shovel can cause damage and danger. If you can't find the flags or they are accidentally removed, call 811 or go to MISS DIG 811 to have utility lines identified again. - Respect the flags
- Make sure children and neighbors know not to remove the flags.
- Avoid driving or parking heavy vehicles or storing construction materials over utility lines.
- Leave the flags in place until the work is complete or for 21 days.
 | Gas Leak |
| If you smell or suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately. Once you are in a safe place, call 911 and then call our Gas Leak Hotline at (800) 947-5000. | |
Watch how MISS DIG helps you know what’s below ground before you dig.
Michigan Utility Flag Color Code
 | Flag Color Code | Utility Type |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Electric | |
| Yellow | Gas, oil, steam or petroleum | |
| Orange | Communication systems | |
| Blue | Potable water | |
| Purple | Reclaimed water irrigation | |
| Green | Sewer and drain lines | |
 White | Proposed excavation | |
| Pink | Temporary surveying |
| Flag Color Code | Utility Type |
|---|---|
| Red | Electric |
| Yellow | Gas, oil, steam or petroleum |
| Orange | Communication systems |
| Blue | Potable water |
| Purple | Reclaimed water irrigation |
| Green | Sewer and drain lines |
| White | Proposed excavation |
| Pink | Temporary surveying |