BISMARCK – Aug. 11 is National 811 Day, reminding people to call to have underground utility lines marked before they dig.

When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to the local one call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Requests can also be made online at www.call811.com. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both. This is a free service.

“On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to contact 811 before digging to eliminate the risk of striking an underground utility line,” said Mike Schoepp, director of Operation Services at Montana-Dakota Utilities. “Relying on important utilities to connect us and keep us safe at home, contacting 811 is really the only way to know which utilities are buried in your area so that you dig safely.”