Miss Utility

Planning to decorate your yard for Halloween?

Before you stick any decorations in the ground, contact 811 to avoid hitting any underground utilities.

A spooky yard doesn't have to mean scary surprises!

This week, we give a big shoutout to the amazing customer service reps who answer the call when you dial 811.

Thank you for guiding homeowners and professionals through the safe digging process every day!

October 12, 2026, ( ) will not count towards your standard notice required when filing a locate request, so please plan accordingly.

That's a wrap on our underground utility fashion week!

Over the course of this series, we've given each utility its own look inspired by the APWA color code. Communications is closing us out in its signature orange.

The looks may have been fun, but the message matters. Now that you've seen the whole collection, which utility gets your vote for Best Dressed?

If you're considering adding an underground pool of any size to your property, this is your chance to make a splash in the safety department too!

Contacting 811 before you dive into any excavation can help prevent costly damages by marking where underground utilities are buried and have you swimming laps of luxury in no time.

Behind the scenes, sewer workers play a vital role in keeping our communities clean and healthy.

Let's express gratitude for their hard work and dedication to maintaining our sewer systems, often in challenging conditions.

Steal the Look: Natural Gas Edition

Color coordination: 10/10Likelihood of being mistaken for actual fashion: debatable

We're having a little fun with the APWA color code, but the colors serve an important purpose: helping identify underground utilities in the field.

Contact 811 before you dig and stay tuned for the next look in our collection.

Did you know that natural gas is odorless and colorless? Utility companies add a distinctive odorant called mercaptan to make it detectable in case of leaks.

Learn more intriguing facts about natural gas and its role in powering our homes and industries.

https://www.aga.org/natural-gas/safety/using-natural-gas-safely/

Steal the Look: Electricity Edition

The red look isn't just a fashion choice. It's the signature color for electric utilities in the APWA color code—and this one definitely knows how to make a statement.

Looks aside, knowing what those colors mean is an important part of safe digging. Contact 811 before you dig, and stay tuned for the next look.

As the weather cools off, many are rushing to finish outdoor projects. Before you break ground, make sure to contact 811.

Whether you’re installing a new deck or simply planting shrubs, knowing what’s beneath the surface is key to a successful project.