Homeowners need to call 811 and have their utilities clearly marked before digging on their property.

"Calling before you dig isn't just a good idea, it's the law," said Jenna Cooper-Gross of NW Natural. "And now, it's even easier to remember with the 811 number established in our area."

Dig it
Be it a rose bush or a built-in pool, homeowners need to call 811 at least two business days prior to digging, or risk being liable for damaged lines. The types of lines found under residential homes include: water, telephone, cable, sewer and gas. According to Common Ground Alliance, more than 680,000 accidental dig-ins are reported each year causing injury to homeowners, professional excavators and lost revenue to the utility industry.

Call or click
Homeowners can call and have all their utilities located simply by dialing 811 from any telephone. Those three digits will reach the One Call Center of Oregon located in Portland. Utility marking can also be scheduled online on the callbeforeyoudig.org web site. The call center operator will notify the appropriate local utilities that then send the necessary crews to mark the area free of charge.

Utility Notification Center
The Utility Notification Center is the agency that administers the "One-Call" system. The agency is dedicated to safeguarding citizens and construction personnel who work around utilities, as well as safeguarding the underground infrastructure of pipes, mains and lines. The Utility Notification Center is open 24 hours a day, every day, and accepts calls from contractors, homeowners, or anyone planning to dig in Oregon and Washington.