Even though it's winter and your list of outside work may be limited to shoveling, keep in mind that it will soon be spring - the time to build a deck, plant some trees, install a gym set for the children, or more.  If your list includes any digging, state law (Wisconsin Statute 182.0175) requires you to notify Diggers Hotline.

Diggers Hotline is a statewide notification system developed to provide excavators and the general public with the ability to inform multiple owners of underground facilities of intended non-emergency excavation via a single telephone call.

You may contact Diggers Hotline at 811 from any phone year round. You must, however, allow three working days (excluding weekends and holidays) notice for the location of the underground facilities prior to digging.

Diggers Hotline will process three types of calls: 1) excavation 2) planning of excavation and 3) safe working clearance information for overhead lines. The call center will ask for an address or location information. Specific marking instructions also will need to be provided. Once the locate is completed, you have ten calendar days to begin your excavation work before you must call to have the underground facilities relocated.

Please note that there are no charges to individual customers for this service.

For more information on Wisconsin's Digger's Hotline program, please visit www.diggershotline.com