We make it easy for professional excavators and homeowners alike to locate underground utilities by joining the national “Call Before You Dig” program. 811 is the national number designated by the Federal Communications Commission to help protect homeowners and professional excavators from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects.
Why Call 811?
Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, and planting a tree or garden are all examples of digging projects that should only begin after underground lines are marked. Hitting an underground utility line while digging can harm the environment, cause serious personal injuries, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, and potentially incur fines and repair costs.
How Does it Work?
You need to call at least 72 hours before digging or submit a locate request online. Dialing 811 connects callers in North Carolina with the state’s one-call center. A representative from the one-call center will ask you for the location and description of your digging job. The representative will then notify Carteret-Craven Electric Co-op and other affected utility companies to send professional locators to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines. Once your underground lines have been marked, you will know the approximate location of your utility lines and can dig safely.