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Excavation, septic

& driveways

What is Dig Safe?

State laws require anyone who digs—whether it’s for something as large as a septic system or as small as a mailbox—to notify utility companies before starting. Digging can be dangerous and costly when you don’t know where underground facilities are located.

Dig Safe System Inc. is a communication network assisting excavators, contractors and property owners in complying with state law by notifying the appropriate utilities before digging. A free service, Dig Safe notifies member companies of proposed excavation projects. In turn, these member utilities respond to the work area and identify the location of underground facilities. Callers are given a permit number as confirmation.

State law requires all excavators to mark the area of excavation using white stakes, paint or flags before notifying Dig Safe. Indicating exactly where the work will take place aids the utility locator in finding the area of upcoming excavation work, keeps operating costs down and prevents unnecessary marking.

A not-for-profit corporation, Dig Safe is funded entirely by member utility companies to promote public safety, protect vital utility services and safeguard against property and environmental damage. In Massachusetts, gas, electric, telephone, cable television and private water companies are all required to join Dig Safe.

Member utilities or their contractors use paint stakes or flags to identify the location of buried facilities. Color coding is used to identify the type of underground facilities. For example, red indicates electrical conduits, yellow indicates gas, oil or steam facilities and orange indicates communication lines.

Member utility companies are responsible for marking only the facilities they maintain. Private underground pipes and cables may not be owned or maintained by member utility companies; therefore, they are unable to locate them. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to investigate if any privately owned utilities are in the area.

It is the contractor’s responsibility to call Dig Safe. In Massachusetts, state law requires a minimum notification of 72 business hours, or three business days, for services.

Dig Safe Color Code

Red: Electric power lines
Yellow: Gas, oil, steam
Orange: Communication, CATV
Blue: Potable water
Purple: Reclaimed water
Green: Sewer and drain lines
Pink: Temporary survey markings
White: Proposed excavation area


Dig Safe processes requests from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Off-hour coverage is available for emergency work. The toll-free number is 1-888-344-7233. For more information about Dig Safe, see www.digsafe.com.

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