It’s free for anyone that is digging to get a DigAlert® ticket. Our services are paid for by the owners of underground facilities.
What area does DigAlert® cover?
Nine Southern California Counties. They include; Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside and Ventura.
Who must contact DigAlert®?
Anyone doing any type of digging except homeowners working on their own private property without the need for a permit. However, homeowners are always encouraged to get a DigAlert ticket.
What information is required for an emergency ticket?
Per California government Code 4216.1 The California
Department of Transportation is not required to be a member of a
regional notification center.
What lines will be marked?
Owners of underground facilities will mark the lines that they own and/or maintain. That usually means up to the meter. Non-pressurized sewer lines, non-pressurized storm drains or other non-pressurized drain lines do not have to be marked.
Will the locator be able to tell me the depth of
the utility lines?
The locator will locate and mark their underground facility within the delineated area, depth is not included.
Who is responsible for removing the markings?
It is preferred that the excavator remove any marks since they are the only ones who know when the job has been completed. Local ordinances may apply.
Why do you ask if I’m going to use vacuum equipment?
Underground facility owners need to know that you will not be using hand tools to determine the exact location of lines in conflict with your excavation. See California government Code 4216.1 for more information.
Why do I have to start my digging within 14 days to
get a ticket number?
DigAlert® is setup to only handle planned excavation;
we do not handle pre-planning jobs or design stage planning. However, we do offer a service for a fee that will provide you a list of our members in an area and their Engineering contact information. Visit Design Lookups.
What do I have to do when there is damage?
If it is life threatening, clear the area, call 911 and the utility owner. If it is not life-threatening call the utility owner. If you need emergency numbers, you can find contacts on our Emergency Contact page or text “er” and your ticket number to DIGALT (344-258) to receive emergency contacts for that ticket (data rates may apply) or call 811
Do I have to contact the High Priority owner or are
they required to contact me before excavating within 10ft?
If you know that a High Priority line is in your proposed area of excavation and you have not been contacted to set up a meet, please contact 811 again or the utility owner before any type of excavation.
It's an emergency, do I have to contact DigAlert®?
Not if it is a true emergency as defined in the
Government Code 4216, (f) but if you can please do so.
What do I do in an emergency after DigAlert® has closed?
You can obtain contact information for the owners of
the affected underground line by clicking through to our
Emergency Contact Information page.
Otherwise, always hand dig with care during an emergency excavation.
What days are DigAlert® closed?
Visit Holidays for our list of Holidays or text holidays to DIGALT (344-258) (data rates may apply).
Homeowners
Do I need a DigAlert® if I'm only digging a few inches deep?
As a homeowner working on your own property and no permit is required, no, but homeowners are encouraged to get a DigAlert® ticket.
I called in a DigAlert® yesterday and I have not
received my information in my email.
First check to make sure that your mail is not
getting caught in a spam filter. Secondly you should white-list
noreply@digalert.org. Lastly, next time you call in a ticket,
check with a Customer Service Representative (CSR) to make sure we
have your correct email address.
Why did the utility company not mark the lines in front of my house?
The utility company is only required to mark lines
that they own and/or maintain and will more than likely only mark up
to private line/meter.
Why don't they mark on private property?
The California Government Code 4216 only requires them to mark the lines they own and/or maintain.
My sewer line wasn’t marked. Why?
Owners of non-pressurized sewer lines, non-pressurized storm drains or other non-pressurized drain lines do not have to be members of the regional notification center.
I have a pool in my backyard. Why didn’t the gas company didn’t mark the line to the pool heater?
You own the line to the pool heater. Contact a private locating company to locate any lines on your property that may be in conflict with your digging that are located after the meter or if the type of line exempts them from being a member of DigAlert.
I marked in a different color to show where I'm working. Is that ok?
Marking in white is generally advised as other colors could be mistaken for marked facility lines. If that is not possible, let the Customer Service Representative know in what color you have delineated the area so it can be passed on to the members.
Why do I have to delineate when I don't know where
to dig until members have marked?
It is required that the excavator mark their area of
work so that the utilities know where they need to mark. Also, per California Government Code 4216.2 (a), the utility locator at their own discretion may not mark their lines until the area is delineated.
Contractors
Why do we have to have separate tickets for sub-contractors?
Each DigAlert® ticket covers a single excavator. If
you have a sub contractor digging for you it is the sub-contractor's
responsibility to establish their own DigAlert® ticket.
I am a contractor, why do I have to contact DigAlert®
when I'm working on private property?
It's the law. See California Government Code 4216.2. As a contractor there is no difference between working on public or private property.
It's an emergency, do I have to contact DigAlert®?
Not if it is a true emergency as defined in the
Government Code 4216, (f) but if you can please do so.
What do I have to do when there is damage?
If it is life threatening, clear the area, call 911
and the utility owner.
If it is not life-threatening call the utility owner.
If you need emergency numbers, you can find contacts
on our Emergency Contact page or text “er” and your ticket number to DIGALT (344-258) to receive emergency contacts for that ticket (data rates may apply) or call 811.
Who is responsible for removing the markings?
It is preferred that the excavator(s) remove any marks since they are the only ones who know when job is completed. Local ordinances may apply.
Will the locator be able to tell me the depth of the utility lines?
The locator will locate and mark their underground facility within the delineated area, depth is not included.
Members
What area does DigAlert® cover?
Nine Southern California Counties. They include:
Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego,
Santa Barbara, Riverside and Ventura.
Who do I contact about a new membership?
Please contact Member Services by
clicking
How can I receive a New Membership Pack?
If you own and/or maintain underground lines within
DigAlert's service area (What area does DigAlert® cover?), you can download
one directly from this page after
completing a short online form.
What are the requirements for the notification area?
Please click here for a full list of notification area requirements.
We have made member notification area changes - do we need to notify you?
Yes, you do - please submit your member notification area here.
I need a list of E-mail Ticket headers and a simple
explanation of what they mean.
Yes, there are several ways to submit a DigAlert® online.
By using
DigAlert Direct
Am I able to renew my DigAlert® online?
if you have multiple DigAlert®'s to renew use DigAlert Direct.
I don’t have access to my computer, but I do have a cell phone. How can I get DigAlert® information?
You can get information by texting “options” to DIGALT (344-258) and a list of the many items you can receive via text will display. (data rates may apply)
