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Digging and Excavating

Digging and excavating
We value the safety of our contractors and customers. It’s important for everyone to be informed about working near gas, electric and other underground utilities.
Get utilities marked through phone or online request
Before you begin digging or blasting for any reason, you must dial 811 or file an online request in your state (you can find the right website for your state at call811.com) for each job to locate underground gas, electric, or other utilities, at least two full working days before digging.
Iowa – 800-292-8989
Illinois – 800-890-0123
Nebraska – 800-331-5666
South Dakota – 800-781-7474
Digging around unmarked utilities can be dangerous and costly
If you do not have utilities marked and choose to work anyway – even for small projects like planting shrubs or installing fencing – you could risk personal injury or death, property damage and legal trouble. Coming into contact with an underground electric line it can shock or kill you and cause power outages, while contacting an underground gas pipe can lead to a fire or explosion.
 
Our representatives will mark utility lines within 48 hours of your call. For privately owned gas and electric utilities, you must have a qualified contractor mark the location, including pipes and wires that pass through MidAmerican Energy-owned meters.
What do the underground line colors mean?
Color Code for Utility Lines
Hand dig before using mechanized digging tools or excavators
The horizontal location of underground utilities will be marked, but their depth will not be. Any time you suspect unmarked hazards, hand dig the area carefully to test your suspicions. Backfill the soil gently to avoid damaging any utilities.
 
Excavator operators should take extra precautions. We recommend these four steps anytime anyone operates heavy digging machinery:
 
  • Look up: Ensure you are clearing overhead lines and trees.
  • Look down: Call or click 811 (call 811 or click call811.com), hand dig before you begin.
  • Look around: Always have someone outside the machine looking around blind spots.
  • Look often: Ensure that you are periodically checking your clearance.
If you contact an underground utility leave the area immediately, tell others to stay away
Call MidAmerican Energy at 1-800-799-4443 (Electric) or 1-800-595-5325 (Gas) as quickly and possible. Report any incidental contact to utilities; remember there is no such thing as minor damage to utilities.
 
Signs of damaged gas lines
  • An unusual odor, like rotting eggs or an unpleasant skunk-like scent
  • A hissing or roaring noise, indicating escaped gas
  • Blowing dirt, or continuous bubbling in water or wet areas
  • Brown or dead vegetation, in an otherwise green area
Steps to take if you spot a gas leak or damaged pipe
  • Leave the area immediately
  • Establish a restricted area around the leak and keep others away
  • Don’t drive or start a vehicle near the area.
  • Avoid creating any sparks or other sources of ignition
  • CALL 911 and MidAmerican Energy at 800-595-5325
Steps to take if you come into contact with an underground electric line
  • Leave the area immediately
  • Drop the shovel or step away from the machine and leave; do not try to move it
  • Establish a restricted area and keep others away
  • Don’t drive a vehicle near the area
  • CALL 911 and MidAmerican Energy at 800-799-4443
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