The S.D. Public Utilities Commission recognizes April as National Safe Digging Month and encourages South Dakotans to call 811 before beginning any digging project.

About 811
A quick phone call to 811 at least two business days before you dig starts the process of getting underground utility lines marked. S.D. One Call Center personnel then notifies affected utility companies, and underground utility lines are marked for free.

When to call 811
• Installing a mailbox
• Putting in a fence
• Planting trees or shrubs
• Excavating a garden area
• Building a deck or patio

These are common examples of when to call. You or your contractor should call at least two business days before any digging project.

What happens if I don’t call?
You could be fined. Besides that, failure to call before digging may result in an unintentional hit, leading to repair costs, utility outages, severe injury or death. Knowing the location of underground utility lines before each digging project helps prevent these situations. Thanks for your cooperation!