Safety is in your hands. Every dig. Every time.
Safety is our number one priority. Safety of our customers, our employees and our communities.
And we need your help.
Did you know that many utilities are buried just a few inches below ground? That means even planting flowers could risk hitting a utility line. Before you break ground on any project — big or small — take safety into your hands by contacting 811 at least two business days before you dig. We’ll come to your home or construction site and mark our utility lines free of charge. This keeps you and your community safe when you start digging.
Safe digging and damage prevention is our shared responsibility. Hitting a buried line while digging can disrupt utility service, cost money to repair, or even cause serious injury or death. Contacting 811 protects you and your community, so you can respect the marks and dig within a safe distance of utility lines. It’s free, it’s safe and it’s the law.
Pipeline location information
Most natural gas pipelines are buried out of sight, but they should never be out of mind.
Pipeline signs explain what the pipeline carries and provides the pipeline operator's name and phone number in case of an emergency.
The signs do not indicate the exact location or depth of the pipeline, so always call 811.
Know your markings for a safe job site
When you contact 811, we will mark underground facilities before you dig — as will other utilities. Understanding these markings helps keep everyone safe and prevents costly damage.
Markings based on surface type
| Marking method | Surface type |
|---|---|
| Paint | Asphalt |
| Paint (short-term use) | Concrete |
| Chalk | Concrete |
| Flags | Dirt or gravel |
| Whiskers | Dirt or gravel |
| Stakes | Rural or brush |
| Wax crayons | Concrete |
Facility marking abbreviations
These abbreviations are commonly used when marking underground facilities:
| CI | Cast Iron |
| DE | Distribution Electric |
| DB | Distribution Bore |
| ED | Electric Distribution |
| ET | Electric Transmission |
| GD | Gas Distribution |
| GT | Gas Transmission |
| PL | Plastic |
| PLE | Plastic Electric |
| STL | Steel |
| W | Wrought Iron |
Color code for utility markings
Black Hills Energy follows the American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Code:
Examples of markings
Always call 811 before you dig
Safe digging and damage prevention is our shared responsibility. Hitting a buried line while digging can disrupt utility service, cost money to repair or even cause serious injury or death. Contacting 811 protects you and your community, so you can respect the marks and dig within a safe distance of utility lines. It’s free, it’s safe and it’s the law.