Alabama 811 and your water line repair
Before anyone digs in your yard, the public lines under it need to be marked. Here is how that works and what it leaves out.
Published 2026-10-20
Alabama 811 notifies utility owners, who mark their buried lines with paint or flags. Private lines on your property are not marked.
What 811 does
Alabama 811 is the state's one-call center. The person doing the digging submits a request, and the owners of buried gas, electric, phone, cable and public water and sewer lines come out and mark them. Check alabama811.com for the current notice period and rules.
Reading the marks
- Red: electric
- Yellow: gas or oil
- Orange: communications
- Blue: potable water
- Green: sewer
- White: the area where digging is planned
What does not get marked
Your own service line from the meter to the house, sprinkler lines, landscape lighting, a line to a shed or pool, and private septic pipes are not marked by utilities. A repair crew traces the water line itself, but tell them about anything else you know is buried.
Common questions
Do I call 811 or does the plumber?
Usually the company doing the excavation submits the request. Ask to confirm it was done.
Is 811 needed for a small repair hole?
Yes. Any mechanized digging, and most hand digging beyond shallow depth, should be located first.
Water coming up between the meter and the house?
Call to talk with an independent water line repair provider serving your part of Alabama. Ask about timing, then decide.