Chesapeake In The Know

You might know them as Miss Utility but these days they go by VA811. They’re the non-profit organization created by Virginia’s utilities to protect underground facilities such as water and sewer pipes, electrical lines, and communication lines. You do not want to accidentally hit one of these lines and either face expensive repairs or worse, get hurt.

If you’re planning any landscaping or construction projects that require you to dig, you need to call VA811 first. The service is completely free and you only need to give about 3 working days of lead time. They’ll come out and put colored lines or flags on your property, indicating where the different utility lines are located. You should give these lines a two-foot tolerance zone and only dig with hand tools within that zone.

If you have a contractor doing the work, they are responsible for calling VA811 but you should check with them to make sure they have done so.

To request markings, call 811 or put a request in online at VA811.com.