Before You Dig This Spring, Make the Safe Choice: Call 811 in South Carolina
As spring arrives and warmer weather settles in, many South Carolina homeowners start planning outdoor projects — planting new trees, installing fences, starting gardens or refreshing landscaping. But before you dig into any home improvement project, there’s one essential safety step you must take:
Call 811 before you dig.
Even small projects can put you at risk. Underground utility lines, including electric, gas, water and communication lines, are often buried only inches below the surface. Striking one can lead to injuries, service outages, fines and costly repairs. That’s why SC811 urges all residents to submit a locate request in South Carolina before digging.
According to SC811.com , a utility line is damaged every six minutes in the U.S. because someone didn’t call first. And in South Carolina, the “call before you dig” law makes this step required, not optional.
How the 811 Process Works in South Carolina
At least three full business days before your outdoor project:
Call 811 or submit a request at SC811.com.
Share your project location and details .
Utility companies will visit your property to mark underground utility lines .
Confirm that all utilities have responded before any digging begins.
These markings follow the national utility color code guide :
Red – Electric
Yellow – Gas
Orange – Communications
Blue – Water
Green – Sewer
Purple – Reclaimed water
What to Do If You Hit a Utility Line
If a line is accidentally struck:
Stop work immediately.
Move to a safe location if you notice gas odors, hissing or other signs of damage.
Contact the utility company and authorities right away.
Reporting damage quickly helps prevent additional hazards and ensures your community stays safe.
Why Calling 811 Matters
There is no accurate or safe way to guess where utility lines are buried. Soil shifts, older records may be incomplete, and property changes over time make guessing extremely risky. Following South Carolina digging laws is the only reliable way to protect yourself, your property and your neighbors.
Spring should be a season of new beginnings — not preventable accidents.
So, before you plant that tree, build that fence or start landscaping, make the safe choice:
Call 811. Protect underground utility lines. Keep your home improvement project safe.
For more than 90 years, Santee Cooper has been serving the people of South Carolina. The utility is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.