FAQs

Yes.  You should call no matter how deep you are digging, since many cables and pipes lie at extremely shallow depths. Utah law defines “excavation” as “an operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition.” The law specifies the requirement to provide notice for marking before excavating.

Homeowners and contractors digging at a single address can submit a new locate request or revise an existing locate request online here.

Contractors that create many tickets can be trained through an online training program and then will be able to submit requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are many advantages to submitting requests this way. Click here to sign up for an online account and training. We currently do not accept requests by email and we no longer accept requests by fax.

Facility Operators follow the APWA (American Public Works Association) standard to mark the locations of their underground facilities. The following colors are used:

RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables
YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials
ORANGE – Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit
BLUE – Potable Water
PURPLE – Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines
GREEN – Sewers and Drain Lines
WHITE – Proposed Excavation
PINK – Temporary Survey Markings

After the markings have been made, excavators should maintain a minimum clearance within the Tolerance Zone which is: 24 inches on either side of the outside edge of the mark indicating a facility; a distance of one-half of the marked diameter plus 24 inches on either side of the designated center where a diameter of the facility has been marked; and 24 inches in each direction of the outside edge of a physically present above ground facility.

If excavation is required within the Tolerance Zone horizontally of any marking or above ground facility, the excavation should be performed with extreme care utilizing hand tools or other methods designed to avoid damaging underground facilities, including vacuum excavation tool and air knife.

It is the excavator’s responsibility to respect and protect the markings. If the markings have faded or been destroyed by weather, traffic, or excavation, the excavator should contact Blue Stakes and request to have the area marked again. Member facility operators are then required to re-mark the area by 8:00 a.m. on the third business day after the re-notification. A re-mark notice does not extend the legal life of the Locate Request.

Utah law only requires facility operators to mark the facility lines that they own and maintain. This usually means up to the meter. Underground lines that extend beyond the meter or that are not connected to a meter are typically not installed or owned by a facility operator and therefore may not be marked. These include water and sewer laterals, power to a detached garage or lamppost, sprinkler / irrigation systems, lines connected to a propane tank or septic system, etc.

Almost every job site will include some type of privately-owned underground pipe or cable. The excavator should inspect the property carefully and ask the property owner about private underground lines before digging. The excavator should consider hiring a private locator to mark private lines that could be in conflict with the excavation project. Areas where private lines are especially common include apartment or townhome complexes, mobile home parks, gated subdivisions, cabin communities, schools and universities, hospital complexes, industrial areas, government facilities and military installations. 

Locating companies that can be hired to mark private lines:
(Blue Stakes of Utah 811 does not endorse or promote any private locating company)

The following entities do not participate with Blue Stakes. If you need to dig on property owned or controlled by one of these entities, please contact that entity directly in addition to contacting Blue Stakes.

– Union Pacific Railroad – “Call Before You Dig!” Hotline – 800-336-9193
– Utah Transit Authority – UTA Control Center – 801-352-6701
– Hill Air Force Base – Red Stake – 801-777-0540
– Navajo Tribal Utility Authority – (for Navajo Nation lands) – 800-528-5011

Blue Stakes recommends that excavators perform a thorough visual inspection of the entire dig site area to determine if all underground facilities have been located prior to beginning excavation. Excavators should ensure that each facility operator was notified and has responded. Facility operators may respond to the notification by marking the site, or by phone, email, or through Electronic Positive Response. If an excavator suspects the presence of unmarked facilities and the Legal date and time on the locate request has passed, they should submit a No Response Notice by contacting Blue Stakes by phone or online. See FAQ #21 for more information regarding No Response Notices. 

To check for Electronic Positive Responses from participating member facility operators, go to Blue Stakes Positive Response page, click on the “Check your ticket’s responses” button and then enter the ticket number.  This will display a list of all participating member facility operators for that request, including if and how they each have responded to the locate request.  

Blue Stakes sends an email or SMS copy of the Locate Request to the email address or SMS phone number if provided on the Locate Request. An email address is required when submitting a request online. A list of the notified member facility operators and their contact information is included on the Locate Request. Clicking on the link at the bottom of the email or SMS copy will allow the excavator to view the map page and the full ticket details. Remember that not all facility operators participate with Blue Stakes.

It is important to allow sufficient time for markings to be completed before you begin excavation work. Plan to contact Blue Stakes to submit your request no later than three (3) business days before excavation begins or sooner than 14 calendar days before the commencement of your excavation work.

In emergency situations, member facility operators will attempt to respond as soon as possible.

A Locate Request expires 21 calendar days after the time the notice was submitted (queued to be delivered) to the member facility operators. If you need to dig beyond the expiration (Good Thru) date and time, you must contact Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but no sooner than seven (7) calendar days before the expiration (Good Thru) date/time to update your current request. Member facility operator personnel will visit the dig site again and provide fresh markings if needed.

The Legal date/time, Update by date/time, and expiration (good thru) date/time will be included in the emailed or SMS copy of your Locate Request. 

NOTE: If you have the needed information, you can create a locate request online here.
The following questions will be asked by the Blue Stakes Locate Specialist. Questions to which an answer is required are marked with an (R).

1. 1. (R) What is the name, phone number, and mailing address. of the party calling in the request?
      The party who will be actually conducting the excavation must contact Blue Stakes as part of their legal responsibilities — no party (such as a general contractor or homeowner) can assume responsibility or call in a request for the excavator. If more than one excavator will dig at the site, they must each create their own locate request.
   2. (R) What is your name and best contact number?
      This allows the member facility operators to contact you if they have questions or problems marking the area. In addition, you can supply a field contact if you would like the member facility operators to contact someone else (e.g. a site foreman).
   3. Who is the work being done for?
      The member facility operators have asked us to provide this information. It provides additional helpful information on the Locate Request.
   4. Do you have an e-mail address or a SMS phone number?
      You are not required to provide an email address when submitting a request over the phone. However, an email address is required for any online Locate Request. When an email address or an SMS phone number is provided, you will receive an email or text copy of your processed Locate Request. Additionally, some member facility operators may have facility lines in the area, but not directly where you plan to excavate. Providing this information provides a convenient way for them to notify you that their facility lines are not in conflict with your proposed excavation.
   5. (R) What type of work will you be doing?
      Specify the purpose of your excavation — such as installation of sprinklers, fence, irrigation, etc., rather than the method of excavation, i.e. digging, trenching, backhoe, boring, hydro excavation, etc.
   6. (R) Will you be using directional boring or trenchless excavation techniques?
      This is any type of excavation that goes horizontally underground without disturbing the surface.
   7. (R) What county and city will the excavation take place in?
      If the excavation is not within any city limits, provide an approximate distance and direction the dig site is from the nearest incorporated city or town.
   8. (R) What is the address of the dig site
      We require one of the following:
      (a) A posted address, or directions from the nearest posted address.
      (b) A posted intersection, or directions from the nearest posted intersection.
      (c) A highway and mile post marker, freeway and exit number, or directions from one of these.
      (d) Latitude longitude coordinates and the corresponding Township & Range Section number (only accepted for rural areas).
      (e) A grid coordinate for any street name may also be provided (e.g. Redwood Rd = 1700 W).
   9. Is there a subdivision name or lot number?
      If you have this information, it may help the member facility operators find the location. Lot numbers are not accepted as the only address, except for rare subdivisions that do not use regular addresses.
   10. (R) Which part of the lot will you be excavating in?
       Please state the area you are going to be excavating in, rather than the area where you think the facility lines are located.

       For more information, see FAQ #18.

1. Provide correct address information and correct marking instructions.
2. Listen carefully when the Blue Stakes Locate Specialist verifies the address and marking instructions. Or carefully verify the information you enter before submitting a request online.
3. Provide valid contact information and respond to questions from member facility operator personnel.
4. Make sure the address is clearly posted. (See FAQ # 10 for acceptable addresses).
5. Provide open access to the property (gates unlocked, animals contained, etc.).
6. Write down and follow the *dates and times when your request becomes legally active, when it expires, and when it must be updated by.

7. Keep the *Locate Request ticket number assigned to your request for marking for the duration of the excavation and preferably longer for your records. The Locate Request ticket number is proof of your notification for marking to Blue Stakes and allows us to quickly find your request if needed. A fee may be charged to research your request if this number is lost or misplaced.

   *The dates and times along with the Locate Request ticket number are included in the email or SMS copy for your Locate Request, if you provided an email address or SMS phone number when submitting your request for marking.

Member facility operators will mark their facility lines at no cost. If you need the facility lines marked again as you continue excavating, they will be marked at no charge.

However, if you request the same area to be marked multiple times and do not excavate, the member facility operators may bill you for their costs to mark the area.

Utah Law specifies that if a facility is damaged during excavation, the excavator should immediately inform the appropriate facility operator directly so the facility line can be repaired and immediately call 911 if the damage may result in an immediate risk to human life. Refer to your local phone directory to contact a facility operator.

If the facility was marked, refer to FAQ #3 to determine what kind of facility it was. If it was not marked, please do not call Blue Stakes to determine what kind of facility line it is. Our Locate Specialists are not trained to identify facilities. If you do have the Locate Request ticket number, Blue Stakes can tell you which member facility operators were notified, but that does not necessarily mean the facility belongs to one of them.

Locate Requests are NOT created after hours by Blue Stakes. If an emergency excavation needs to be completed after hours, you will need to contact each facility operator directly to request the area be marked or have them clear the area. To obtain a list of the impacted facilities use our Utility Contact Lookup link: https://ucl.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Utility Contact Lookup icon from within our Mobile App.

Enter the location information, use the tools provided to indicate the location on the map, and select “Emergency After Hours.” A popup will then provide a contact list of the numbers for the specific member facility operators that would need to be contacted directly after hours.

The depth of facilities varies by location and by type of facility. An underground pipe or cable may no longer be at the same depth as when it was originally buried if grading, leveling, erosion or other nearby surface activity has taken place. For that reason, Utah law does not require facility operators to indicate the depth of their underground facilities. Utah law does not specify how deep facilities must be buried. Please see FAQ #1.

Coordinates can be provided from a GPS unit in NAD83 format to identify a rural area or other location that does not have an address. The location must be pre-marked in the field and the excavator must also provide the nearest posted intersection or address and approximate distance from an address, intersection, or highway mile marker. For rural locations the excavator must also provide the Township, Range, and Section number for the site. The excavator must provide a phone number for a field contact who is able to provide driving directions to the location if requested by a facility operator.

Blue Stakes uses GIS data provided by the State of Utah’s Geospatial Resource Center (UGRC) in its mapping system. UGRC compiles official map data from local government sources, including city, county, and state agency mapping departments. The coordinate system and datum used for all Blue Stakes map layers is unprojected latitude/longitude NAD83. To view UGRC’s base map viewer, click here. You can reference this map prior to contacting Blue Stakes if you need to determine the name of a road, find latitude/longitude coordinates for your dig site, etc. Please keep in mind that you must provide an address that is physically posted in the field when submitting a request for marking. 

Click here to open a PDF file showing an explanation of all of the ticket fields.

The following are explanations of important terms used by Blue Stakes of Utah 811. These terms should be used to describe the specific area of excavation:

Lot / Property: For Blue Stakes purposes, the front or frontage of the lot / property begins at the curb or edge of the road (pavement, oil, gravel, dirt, etc.) and extends into the property. For properties that have roads that border it on more than one side, each side begins at the curb or edge of the road and extends into the property that is bordered by a road. In most cases the rear and side boundaries of a property are apparent because of fences, landscaping, or other visual distinctions.

Front: From the middle of the house / property forward to the curb / edge of the road. If the property is bordered by more than one road, the Front is the side of the lot / property bordered by the road that the property is addressed off.

Rear: From the middle of the house / property back to the rear property line.

Side: From the middle of the house / property out to the side property line.

Short: From the curb (edge of road) to the middle of the street.

Long: From curb to curb (edge of road to edge of road, not including the shoulder).

Both sides of the road: You must specify what part of the lot you want marked on both sides of the road. For example, “Mark the front of the lots on both sides of the street.” This description does not include any of the road. You must specify short, long, or other road area description to have the road marked if needed.

Note: Common Areas (typically found in townhome or other similar HOA developments, for example) are not included for marking when Entire, Front or Rear of lot is requested.  If your excavation area extends beyond the addressed lot into the common areas, please provide additional marking instructions on your request to ensure your entire excavation area is included and marked, as needed.

Click on the image below for a larger view.

It is important for the excavator to examine the site for markings and check any communications from the facility operators in response to the Locate Request. See FAQ #7. Then if the excavator suspects unmarked facility lines, the excavator should submit a No Response Notice by contacting Blue Stakes of Utah 811 by phone or by submitting a No Response Notice through the Online Ticket Revision option on our website.

According to the Utah Code Title 54, Chapter 8a, Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act:

Excavators will be required to submit a No Response Notice to Blue Stakes if they suspect any unmarked facilities in their work area before they may begin excavating.
Excavators will be required to provide to Blue Stakes which member facility operator(s) or member facility type(s) have not marked.
Blue Stakes will only send the No Response Notice to those member facility operators or member facility types indicated by the excavator.
The notified member facility operators will be required to respond and/or mark their facilities within 4 business hours of the No Response Notice. Member Facility Operators click here for more information: Facility Operator FAQ

Yes.  You should call no matter how deep you are digging, since many cables and pipes lie at extremely shallow depths. Utah law defines “excavation” as “an operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition.” The law specifies the requirement to provide notice for marking before excavating.

Utah law only requires facility operators to mark the facility lines that they own and maintain. This usually means up to the meter. Underground lines that extend beyond the meter or that are not connected to a meter are typically not installed or owned by a facility operator and therefore may not be marked. These include water and sewer laterals, power to a detached garage or lamppost, sprinkler / irrigation systems, lines connected to a propane tank or septic system, etc.

Almost every job site will include some type of privately-owned underground pipe or cable. The excavator should inspect the property carefully and ask the property owner about private underground lines before digging. The excavator should consider hiring a private locator to mark private lines that could be in conflict with the excavation project. Areas where private lines are especially common include apartment or townhome complexes, mobile home parks, gated subdivisions, cabin communities, schools and universities, hospital complexes, industrial areas, government facilities and military installations. 

Locating companies that can be hired to mark private lines:
(Blue Stakes of Utah 811 does not endorse or promote any private locating company)

The following entities do not participate with Blue Stakes. If you need to dig on property owned or controlled by one of these entities, please contact that entity directly in addition to contacting Blue Stakes.

– Union Pacific Railroad – “Call Before You Dig!” Hotline – 800-336-9193
– Utah Transit Authority – UTA Control Center – 801-352-6701
– Hill Air Force Base – Red Stake – 801-777-0540
– Navajo Tribal Utility Authority – (for Navajo Nation lands) – 800-528-5011

Blue Stakes recommends that excavators perform a thorough visual inspection of the entire dig site area to determine if all underground facilities have been located prior to beginning excavation. Excavators should ensure that each facility operator was notified and has responded. Facility operators may respond to the notification by marking the site, or by phone, email, or through Electronic Positive Response. If an excavator suspects the presence of unmarked facilities and the Legal date and time on the locate request has passed, they should submit a No Response Notice by contacting Blue Stakes by phone or online. See FAQ #21 for more information regarding No Response Notices. 

To check for Electronic Positive Responses from participating member facility operators, go to Blue Stakes Positive Response page, click on the “Check your ticket’s responses” button and then enter the ticket number.  This will display a list of all participating member facility operators for that request, including if and how they each have responded to the locate request.  

Member facility operators will mark their facility lines at no cost. If you need the facility lines marked again as you continue excavating, they will be marked at no charge.

However, if you request the same area to be marked multiple times and do not excavate, the member facility operators may bill you for their costs to mark the area.

Locate Requests are NOT created after hours by Blue Stakes. If an emergency excavation needs to be completed after hours, you will need to contact each facility operator directly to request the area be marked or have them clear the area. To obtain a list of the impacted facilities use our Utility Contact Lookup link: https://ucl.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Utility Contact Lookup icon from within our Mobile App.

Enter the location information, use the tools provided to indicate the location on the map, and select “Emergency After Hours.” A popup will then provide a contact list of the numbers for the specific member facility operators that would need to be contacted directly after hours.

The depth of facilities varies by location and by type of facility. An underground pipe or cable may no longer be at the same depth as when it was originally buried if grading, leveling, erosion or other nearby surface activity has taken place. For that reason, Utah law does not require facility operators to indicate the depth of their underground facilities. Utah law does not specify how deep facilities must be buried. Please see FAQ #1.

It is the excavator’s responsibility to respect and protect the markings. If the markings have faded or been destroyed by weather, traffic, or excavation, the excavator should contact Blue Stakes and request to have the area marked again. Member facility operators are then required to re-mark the area by 8:00 a.m. on the third business day after the re-notification. A re-mark notice does not extend the legal life of the Locate Request.

Utah Law specifies that if a facility is damaged during excavation, the excavator should immediately inform the appropriate facility operator directly so the facility line can be repaired and immediately call 911 if the damage may result in an immediate risk to human life. Refer to your local phone directory to contact a facility operator.

If the facility was marked, refer to FAQ #3 to determine what kind of facility it was. If it was not marked, please do not call Blue Stakes to determine what kind of facility line it is. Our Locate Specialists are not trained to identify facilities. If you do have the Locate Request ticket number, Blue Stakes can tell you which member facility operators were notified, but that does not necessarily mean the facility belongs to one of them.

See General FAQ #14 for information about after-hours emergencies.

Yes indeed! The Utah Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act requires anyone engaging in any operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition to notify Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but not more than 14 calendar days prior to excavation. 

Potholing locations must be pre-marked on site. You must provide which facility or facilities you are potholing for, information on the Locate Request of how the site is pre-marked, a reasonable area description for marking around the pre-marked site, and where the pre-marked location is on the property.

You can submit a Locate Request Ticket online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. There is also access to this application through our Mobile App.

The Utah state law explains it this way:

54-8a-7. Notice of damage — Repairs. (https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title54/Chapter8A/54-8a-S7.html)

(1) An excavator performing an excavation that results in contact or damage to a facility shall:  

(a) provide notice of the contact or damage including the location and nature of any damage immediately to the operator; 

(b) allow the operator reasonable time when considering the safety of the area, and the availability of materials, labor, or equipment, to make or coordinate necessary repairs before completing the excavation in the immediate area of the facility; and 

(c) delay any backfilling in the immediate area of the contacted or damaged facility until the operator authorizes the excavator to resume backfilling. 

(2) After receiving notification of contact or damage to a facility, the operator, or qualified personnel authorized by the operator, shall: 

(a) expedite a response to examine the contacted or damaged facility; and 

(b) make or coordinate necessary repairs to the contacted or damaged facility within eight business hours or notify the excavator that the repairs will take longer than eight business hours due to safety or availability of materials, labor, or equipment. 

(3) (a) An excavator that is responsible for an excavation where any contact or damage to a facility results in the discharge of electricity or escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid, or that endangers life, health, or property shall:  

(i) immediately notify:  

(A) emergency responders, including 911 services; and  

(B) the facility operator; and  

(ii) take reasonable measures to protect the excavator, other persons, property, and the environment until the operator or emergency responders arrive. 

Utah law requires facility operators to mark only the lines that they own and maintain. This usually means up to the meter. Underground lines that extend beyond the meter or that are not connected to a meter are typically not installed or owned by a facility operator and therefore may not be marked. These include water and sewer laterals, power to a detached garage or lamppost, sprinkler/irrigation systems, lines connected to a propane tank or septic system, etc. 

Almost every job site will include some type of privately-owned underground pipe or cable. The excavator should inspect the property carefully and ask the property owner about private underground lines before digging. The excavator should consider hiring a private locator to mark private lines that could be in conflict with the excavation project. Areas where private lines are especially common include apartment complexes, mobile home parks, gated subdivisions, cabin communities, schools and universities, hospital complexes, industrial areas, government facilities and military installations.

Find additional info under General FAQ #6: https://www.bluestakes.org/faqs/ 

A request expires 21 calendar days from the day it was submitted (queued to be delivered) to the member facility operators. The Legal date/time, Update by date/time, and expiration (Good Thru) date/time will be included in the emailed or SMS copy of your Locate Request. 

If the markings are destroyed by weather, traffic, or excavation, the excavator will need to call 811, option 1 to speak to a Locate Specialist or go online to submit a Re-Mark on a current request and allow at least three (3) business days for the area to be re-marked. A Re-Mark Request does NOT extend the life of the Locate Request ticket.

If excavation work extends beyond expiration (Good thru) date and time, you may submit an Update on your current request over the phone by calling 811, option 1 or online. This must be completed before the “Update By” date and time listed on the Locate Request ticket.   

To submit a Re-mark request or an Update to a current Locate Request ticket online go to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible on our Mobile App. 

The Utah Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act requires anyone engaged in “an operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition” to notify Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but not more than 14 calendar days prior to excavation.

You can submit a Locate Request Ticket online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on our Mobile App. 

Pre-marking a location will save valuable resources and time. It will also help to reduce unnecessary overmarking for the type of work being completed.

While white lining or pre-marking the proposed excavation area has been recommended for years, it is not required by law in Utah. However, according to section 54-8a-4 (3) of the Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act:

54-8a-4. Notice of excavation. (https://www.bluestakes.org/law/)

Facility Operators follow the APWA (American Public Works Association) standard to mark the locations of their underground facilities. The following colors are used:

RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables
YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials
ORANGE – Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit
BLUE – Potable Water
PURPLE – Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines
GREEN – Sewers and Drain Lines
WHITE – Proposed Excavation
PINK – Temporary Survey Markings

Locate Requests are NOT created after hours by Blue Stakes. If an emergency excavation needs to be completed after hours, you will need to contact each facility operator directly to request the area be marked or have them clear the area. To obtain a list of the impacted facilities use our Utility Contact Lookup link: https://ucl.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Utility Contact Lookup icon from within our Mobile App.

Enter the location information, use the tools provided to indicate the location on the map, and select “Emergency After Hours.” A popup will then provide a contact list of the numbers for the specific member facility operators that would need to be contacted directly after hours.

See General FAQ #14 for information about after-hours emergencies.

The facility operator/locator should communicate the delay with the excavator through an email, phone call, or both. The facility operator/locator may additionally post information on our Electronic Positive Response (EPR) system. Currently, participation in EPR is voluntary. To check the responses for your requests, go to: https://www.bluestakes.org/epr/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Positive Response icon or EPR Lookup icon from within our Mobile App. 

It is important to reach out to the excavator making the requests directly and express your concerns about these excessive requests for markings, where work appears to be complete.

Blue Stakes currently has over 600 participating facility owners/operators. There are large and small companies including gas, power, communications, water, sewer, municipalities, and more. Each participating member facility operator should ensure the facility lines that they own and maintain are located and marked within the described areas on Locate Request Tickets. Some of these member facility operators hire third party locating companies to do their required locating and marking on their behalf. 

A list of participating facility operators can be found here: Blue Stakes Members 

To facilitate safety and damage prevention, effective May 1, 2024, Utah State Law requires excavators to submit a No Response Notice on the current locate request if the excavator suspects any underground facilities have not been marked in the proposed excavation area before they may begin excavating. A No Response Notice should also be submitted if an unmarked underground facility is found or suspected during excavation. To ensure the proper member facility operators are notified an excavator must provide Blue Stakes with the member facility operator(s) or facility type(s) that have not responded to the current locate request. Blue Stakes will only send the notice to the indicated member facility operators. The notified member facility operators will be required to respond and/or mark their facilities within 4 business hours of the No Response Notice.

See General FAQ #14 for information about after-hours emergencies.

The facility operator/locator should communicate the delay with the excavator through an email, phone call, or both. The facility operator/locator may additionally post information on our Electronic Positive Response (EPR) system. Currently, participation in EPR is voluntary. To check the responses for your requests, go to: https://www.bluestakes.org/epr/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Positive Response icon or EPR Lookup icon from within our Mobile App. 

It is critical to have the best contact listed on each Locate Request. This contact should be someone familiar with the job site and able to answer questions from Blue Stakes, as well as the facility operators/locators.

Member facility operators and locators can access their locate requests and submit their electronic positive response (EPR) information into Blue Stakes system on our website and through our Mobile App, as well as by using Ticket Management Software. For more information, go to: https://www.bluestakes.org/epr/ , click on the “Request Information on EPR” button, then complete and submit the form.

To request training to enter Locate Requests online, go to the Tools option at the top of the page on our website www.bluestakes.org. After clicking on Tools, click on User Account Signup – Professional Excavators in the Professional Excavators column. This will direct you to the location for additional information, the link to sign up for training and a Quick Ticket Entry account.  This is also accessible by clicking on the Web Access Signup icon from within our Mobile App. 

After completing and submitting the sign-up form, you will receive an automatic email reply acknowledging the sign-up receipt. Shortly thereafter you will receive an email providing you with some brief instructions and a link to begin your online training. The online training can be completed at your own pace and convenience. 

New Locate Requests may also be entered online without the need for training by clicking on the Online Locate Requests button at the top of our webpage, then selecting the “New Request” option or by going directly to: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the New Locate Request icon from within our Mobile App. 

Online Ticket Revisions to current Locate Requests may also be entered online without the need for training by clicking on the Online Locate Requests button at the top of our webpage, then selecting “Revise Request” option or by going directly to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on the Update Locate Request icon from within our Mobile App. Online Ticket Revision options include: No Response Notices, Updates, Re-Marks, and Cancels. 

Yes indeed! The Utah Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act requires anyone engaging in any operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition to notify Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but not more than 14 calendar days prior to excavation. 

Potholing locations must be pre-marked on site. You must provide which facility or facilities you are potholing for, information on the Locate Request of how the site is pre-marked, a reasonable area description for marking around the pre-marked site, and where the pre-marked location is on the property.

You can submit a Locate Request Ticket online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. There is also access to this application through our Mobile App.

The Utah state law explains it this way:

54-8a-7. Notice of damage — Repairs. (https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title54/Chapter8A/54-8a-S7.html)

(1) An excavator performing an excavation that results in contact or damage to a facility shall:  

(a) provide notice of the contact or damage including the location and nature of any damage immediately to the operator; 

(b) allow the operator reasonable time when considering the safety of the area, and the availability of materials, labor, or equipment, to make or coordinate necessary repairs before completing the excavation in the immediate area of the facility; and 

(c) delay any backfilling in the immediate area of the contacted or damaged facility until the operator authorizes the excavator to resume backfilling. 

(2) After receiving notification of contact or damage to a facility, the operator, or qualified personnel authorized by the operator, shall: 

(a) expedite a response to examine the contacted or damaged facility; and 

(b) make or coordinate necessary repairs to the contacted or damaged facility within eight business hours or notify the excavator that the repairs will take longer than eight business hours due to safety or availability of materials, labor, or equipment. 

(3) (a) An excavator that is responsible for an excavation where any contact or damage to a facility results in the discharge of electricity or escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid, or that endangers life, health, or property shall:  

(i) immediately notify:  

(A) emergency responders, including 911 services; and  

(B) the facility operator; and  

(ii) take reasonable measures to protect the excavator, other persons, property, and the environment until the operator or emergency responders arrive. 

Locate requests expire 21 calendar days from the date/time they are submitted (queued to be delivered) to the member facility operators. To extend the request beyond the expiration (Good Thru) date/time, the excavator will need to “Update” the request at least three (3) business days but no sooner than seven (7) calendar days prior to the expiration (Good Thru) date/time listed on the original request. To Update your request online go to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible within the Update Locate Request option on our Mobile App. 
 
There is currently not an option for automatic Updates. 
 
Note: Do not Update a request if excavation work is not going to take place within the 21 calendar day life of the Locate Request or if the scope of excavation work has changed. Wait until you are ready to excavate and submit a New request at least three (3) business days prior to excavating again. Your original Locate Request Ticket information can be used for a New Locate Request if all information remains the same and can be completed through the same Online Ticket Revision link. 

Utah law requires facility operators to mark only the lines that they own and maintain. This usually means up to the meter. Underground lines that extend beyond the meter or that are not connected to a meter are typically not installed or owned by a facility operator and therefore may not be marked. These include water and sewer laterals, power to a detached garage or lamppost, sprinkler/irrigation systems, lines connected to a propane tank or septic system, etc. 

Almost every job site will include some type of privately-owned underground pipe or cable. The excavator should inspect the property carefully and ask the property owner about private underground lines before digging. The excavator should consider hiring a private locator to mark private lines that could be in conflict with the excavation project. Areas where private lines are especially common include apartment complexes, mobile home parks, gated subdivisions, cabin communities, schools and universities, hospital complexes, industrial areas, government facilities and military installations.

Find additional info under General FAQ #6: https://www.bluestakes.org/faqs/ 

A request expires 21 calendar days from the day it was submitted (queued to be delivered) to the member facility operators. The Legal date/time, Update by date/time, and expiration (Good Thru) date/time will be included in the emailed or SMS copy of your Locate Request. 

If the markings are destroyed by weather, traffic, or excavation, the excavator will need to call 811, option 1 to speak to a Locate Specialist or go online to submit a Re-Mark on a current request and allow at least three (3) business days for the area to be re-marked. A Re-Mark Request does NOT extend the life of the Locate Request ticket.

If excavation work extends beyond expiration (Good thru) date and time, you may submit an Update on your current request over the phone by calling 811, option 1 or online. This must be completed before the “Update By” date and time listed on the Locate Request ticket.   

To submit a Re-mark request or an Update to a current Locate Request ticket online go to: https://otr.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible on our Mobile App. 

Yes. Instead of choosing Entire, Front or Rear, choose “Other.” Then enter your instructions in the “Specify Work Area” field. You will need to provide specific marking instructions for your “Pre-marked” area that you describe, including how you choose to pre-mark. 

• Example 1: Dig site is pre-marked with a white flag (or X) in the northeast corner of the lot. Please mark a 10 ft radius around the white flag (or X). 
• Example 2: Dig line is pre-marked in white paint on the east side of the building.  From east side of building please mark 50 ft east along the pre-marked line, while marking 5 ft on both sides of the pre-marked line for the given stretch. 
• Example 3: Dig area is a 10 ft x 20 ft pre-marked rectangle in the Rear of the given lot. This is pre-marked in white paint. Please mark the pre-marked area, as described. 

It is important to reach out to the excavator making the requests directly and express your concerns about these excessive requests for markings, where work appears to be complete.

The Utah Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act requires anyone engaged in “an operation in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or displaced by tools, equipment, explosives, or demolition” to notify Blue Stakes at least three (3) business days but not more than 14 calendar days prior to excavation.

You can submit a Locate Request Ticket online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: https://ite.bluestakes.org/. This is also accessible by clicking on our Mobile App. 

Currently, a map cannot be linked or submitted along with a Locate Request ticket that will be sent to the member facility operator/locator for locating and marking. If a map would help the Locate Specialist (LS) create the request, the LS will provide an email address to send it to. 
However, the excavator will still need to provide all normal, required location and marking instructions. 
 
Most locate requests can be described over the phone or online. In situations where excavation projects are large, complicated or within a restricted area, a Meet with the facility operators/locators may be necessary. If a Meet is requested, the excavator will need to provide address information for a suitable location to meet, as well as the general boundaries of the dig site. The specific excavation area(s) within these boundaries can then be shown and discussed with the member facility operators at the Meet. A map of the excavation area may be required to be provided to each member facility operator at the Meet.

Blue Stakes currently has over 600 participating facility owners/operators. There are large and small companies including gas, power, communications, water, sewer, municipalities, and more. Each participating member facility operator should ensure the facility lines that they own and maintain are located and marked within the described areas on Locate Request Tickets. Some of these member facility operators hire third party locating companies to do their required locating and marking on their behalf. 

A list of participating facility operators can be found here: Blue Stakes Members 

Pre-marking a location will save valuable resources and time. It will also help to reduce unnecessary overmarking for the type of work being completed.

While white lining or pre-marking the proposed excavation area has been recommended for years, it is not required by law in Utah. However, according to section 54-8a-4 (3) of the Damage to Underground Utility Facilities Act:

54-8a-4. Notice of excavation. (https://www.bluestakes.org/law/)