(Radio Iowa) - This Sunday is August 11th or 8-11, the day Iowans are reminded about the three-digit phone number they’re required to call before doing any digging on their property.
Ben Booth is spokesman for Iowa One Call which is marking what it calls 8-1-1 Day in advance of the fall planting season. Iowa law says you have to notify Iowa One Call prior to doing any type of digging. Call at least 48 hours in advance, and crews will mark the underground utilities with flags or spray-paint so you can know where -not- to dig.
Booth says even putting in a stake or a fence post could pierce an underground facility, which could not only be life-threatening, like with a high-voltage power line, but it could also be very expensive to repair.