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Louisiana 811 encourages people to make a free request at least 2 full business days before digging to avoid damaging buried utilities.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (August 2026) – Aug. 11 is almost here, and Louisiana 811 hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder for residents to contact 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811.
When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to Louisiana 811, the local 811 center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Requests can also be made online at www.louisiana811.com. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.
The issue is so important that state law requires all excavators and demolishers to notify Louisiana 811 before they begin work. The law applies to individuals as well as contractors, municipalities, and others. Failure to contact 811 can subject the excavator or demolisher to fines and liability for damages to buried infrastructure.
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages and fines. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that require a free 811 request at least a few days before breaking ground.
“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility line,” said Brent Saltzman, Executive Director for Louisiana 811. “Calling 811 or visiting www.louisiana811.com is really the only way to know which utilities are buried in your area so that you can dig safely.”
The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that’s previously been marked, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.
New State Law Updates Take Effect Aug. 1
In addition to observing 811 Day, Louisiana 811 is also reminding excavators, contractors and homeowners of important changes to Louisiana’s underground damage prevention law taking effect on Aug. 1, 2026. Updates under Act No. 902 (SB469) and Act No. 161 (HB464) strengthen protections for both excavators and buried infrastructure statewide.
• Member operators must now provide Positive Response back to Louisiana 811 confirming that a locate request has been addressed.
• Mandatory participation in the 811 system has been expanded to include all underground utility and facility owners and operators, with limited statutory exemptions.
• Enforcement officers now have expanded authority to stop excavation activity when there is reasonable cause, such as a missing or expired locate ticket or work in an unmarked area.
• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funded projects must now use the Large Project Ticket process, provide a minimum 30-day advance notice to affected members, and maintain a written coordination agreement on-site.
• If a utility line is damaged during excavation, the excavator must immediately notify the facility owner, emergency personnel and the Regional Notification Center, and pause work in the affected area until repairs are addressed.
Louisiana 811 encourages excavators, contractors and homeowners alike to familiarize themselves with these updates ahead of the Aug. 1 effective date to remain compliant and help keep Louisiana’s communities safe.
Visit www.louisiana811.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
The Louisiana Press Association was formed in 1880 as a trade association uniting the state’s daily and weekly newspapers. As its members have transformed so has the LPA, focused on educating, advocating and innovating in print and digital platforms.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (August 2026) – Aug. 11 is almost here, and Louisiana 811 hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder for residents to contact 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811.
When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to Louisiana 811, the local 811 center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Requests can also be made online at www.louisiana811.com. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.
The issue is so important that state law requires all excavators and demolishers to notify Louisiana 811 before they begin work. The law applies to individuals as well as contractors, municipalities, and others. Failure to contact 811 can subject the excavator or demolisher to fines and liability for damages to buried infrastructure.
Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, inconvenient outages and fines. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811 by phone or online. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are just some examples of digging projects that require a free 811 request at least a few days before breaking ground.
“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to use the free 811 service before digging to reduce the risk of striking an underground utility line,” said Brent Saltzman, Executive Director for Louisiana 811. “Calling 811 or visiting www.louisiana811.com is really the only way to know which utilities are buried in your area so that you can dig safely.”
The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches or digging in a location that’s previously been marked, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists.
New State Law Updates Take Effect Aug. 1
In addition to observing 811 Day, Louisiana 811 is also reminding excavators, contractors and homeowners of important changes to Louisiana’s underground damage prevention law taking effect on Aug. 1, 2026. Updates under Act No. 902 (SB469) and Act No. 161 (HB464) strengthen protections for both excavators and buried infrastructure statewide.
• Member operators must now provide Positive Response back to Louisiana 811 confirming that a locate request has been addressed.
• Mandatory participation in the 811 system has been expanded to include all underground utility and facility owners and operators, with limited statutory exemptions.
• Enforcement officers now have expanded authority to stop excavation activity when there is reasonable cause, such as a missing or expired locate ticket or work in an unmarked area.
• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funded projects must now use the Large Project Ticket process, provide a minimum 30-day advance notice to affected members, and maintain a written coordination agreement on-site.
• If a utility line is damaged during excavation, the excavator must immediately notify the facility owner, emergency personnel and the Regional Notification Center, and pause work in the affected area until repairs are addressed.
Louisiana 811 encourages excavators, contractors and homeowners alike to familiarize themselves with these updates ahead of the Aug. 1 effective date to remain compliant and help keep Louisiana’s communities safe.
Visit www.louisiana811.com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.
The Louisiana Press Association was formed in 1880 as a trade association uniting the state’s daily and weekly newspapers. As its members have transformed so has the LPA, focused on educating, advocating and innovating in print and digital platforms.