Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the charge for submitting a locate request?
A. Submitting a locate request through MS811 is completely free of charge to the excavator. There is no cost to use this service.
Q. I’m not going to dig very deep, should I call MS811?
A. The call is free. The information you will receive will benefit you in completing your project. Don’t assume the liability for damaging an unmarked underground line or risk the possibility of causing death or injury because you didn’t call.
Q. Who is required to give notice to MS811?
A. MS state law, section 77-13-5 (1) says: In addition to complying with all other applicable regulations and requirements of federal, state, county and municipal authorities, no person shall engage in excavation of any kind, before meeting the notification requirements of this chapter. The only exception is stated in section 77-13-5 (3) : Compliance with the notice requirements of this section shall not be required of: (a) persons plowing less than twenty-four (24) inches in depth for agricultural purposes; (b) persons who are moving or otherwise displacing, by hand, earth, rock or other material or mass of material on or below the ground at a depth of less than twelve (12) inches on property they own; and (c) persons, other than the property owner, who are moving or otherwise displacing, by hand, earth, rock or other material or mass of material on or below the ground at a depth of less than twelve (12) inches, except when such excavation is in a clearly marked underground facility right-of-way. Why risk the possibility of damage to property, injury and death?
Q. What happens when I call?
A. The Customer Service Representative (CSR) will ask for information about the location and type of work to be done. The specific location information will be compared to service area information provided by member utilities. If a conflict occurs, the member utility will receive a notice of your intent to dig. The CSR will provide a reference number and a list of the member utilities that MS811will notify.
Q. Why is the ticket number so long?
A. The ticket number consists of the date, time and the number of tickets taken for that day.
Q. What is the ticket number for?
A. It confirms you have contacted MS811 as required under Mississippi state excavation law.
Q. Who is not compliant with the Mississippi Excavation Law, which requires that all utility owner/operators be a member of MS811?
A. We do not have a list of non-compliant companies.
Q. Why are driving directions required?
A. Driving directions are used to locate and mark the excavation site on our map, which determines which utilities will be notified.
Providing clear and accurate directions helps ensure the correct utilities are contacted.
You may also submit GPS coordinates to assist with locating the site; however, please be aware that GPS accuracy can vary depending on the device used.
Q. Why do you need my mailing address?
A. It is required by MS excavator law to give a complete mailing address.
Q. Why do you need my email address?
A. MS811 will email you a copy of your locate request ticket along with the locate status information, using the email address you provided.
Q. Why is there a 1-mile per ticket limit?
A. This policy was established by the MS811 Board of Directors.
Q. How long do utilities have to respond to a locate request?
A. Utilities are required to respond by the deadline specified in the “Locate By” field on your ticket confirmation.
Q. Why do utility companies only mark up to their meter?
A. Most utility lines located on private property are owned by the property owner, and it is their responsibility to locate those lines.
In most cases, utility companies will only mark lines from the street to the meter or, if no meter exists, to the property line. Anything beyond that point is considered the responsibility of the property owner.
Q. Why does it matter how long it will take to do the excavation work?
A. Locate request tickets are valid until the expiration date listed on your ticket.
If your work extends beyond this date, you must contact MS811 to update your ticket. Refer to the “Update From” and “Update To” fields on your ticket confirmation for the appropriate time frame to submit an update.
Please note: Markings may be disturbed by lawn maintenance, weather, or children removing flags. If the markings are no longer visible, a new request for remarking will be required.
Q. Why can’t the locators just meet the excavator on-site?
A. To process your ticket, you must provide clear and accurate directions indicating exactly where the excavation will occur. While locators are not required to meet on-site, we can include a note on the ticket requesting that they contact you prior to marking. However, please note that honoring this request is at the locator’s discretion.
Q. Do I have to notify anyone else?
A. You should notify any companies you are aware of that are not in compliance with Mississippi state law.
We encourage you to reach out to local facility owners and urge them to become members of MS811 in order to comply with state excavation regulations. Promoting compliance helps protect underground infrastructure, ensures public safety, and supports statewide damage prevention efforts.
Q. Should MS811 be called when an industrial or residential building is on fire?
A. Not unless excavation is involved.
In emergency situations where no excavation is taking place, you should call 911 and contact the utility companies directly to have their services discontinued and prevent any hazards to people or infrastructure.
If an emergency does involve excavation or suspected underground utility damage, MS811 may be able to assist in identifying any affected underground utilities.
Q. What if the lines have not been marked in the time required?
A. If the required time has passed and no markings are present, please contact us to submit a “No Response” or “Unmarked” notice.
Q. Will I be able to dig once I’ve waited the time required?
A. Yes, this is required by law; however, if you have not received a response, please call us back, and we will process a “No Response” or “Unmarked” notice for you.
Q. What can be done when utility owners won’t locate their utilities?
A. If you have not received a response, please call us back, and we will process a “No Response” or “Unmarked” notice for you.
For ongoing or repeated issues, you may submit an Alleged Violation Report (AVR) and/or reach out to your MS811 Damage Prevention Coordinator who can follow up with the utility company in person.
Q. I’m with a utility company, why are we charged for the tickets we submit?
A. If your company submits locate requests and does not wish to be notified as a utility on those specific tickets, you may request to have your company suppressed from those requests. To begin this process, please contact MS811 at (601) 362-3887 to sign and implement a suppression agreement.
Q. Will I be notified when the lines are marked?
A. MS811 will email you a locate status notice if you provided a valid email address when submitting your request.
You can also check the status of your locate request anytime by visiting the MS811 website.
Q. Why does my contractor need to call MS811?
A. MS state law requires that the actual person or company performing the excavation submit the locate request. This ensures they are covered under the law and fully informed of any underground utility markings at the job site.