Navigating Utility Locates in Washington State: Key Steps, Hidden Right-of-Ways, and Private Company Advantages

When planning any digging or construction project in Washington State, calling in a utility locate request is a critical first step. Striking an underground utility line can cause costly damage, service interruptions, and even serious injury. Yet many property owners and contractors overlook important details about the locate process, the utilities involved, and the hidden right-of-ways that might not be obvious on the surface. This guide walks you through the essential steps for calling in a locate request in Washington, highlights common utilities in Southwest Washington that respond to these requests, and explains what private locate companies like Twin City Locating, LLC offer beyond the standard 811 service.

Utility worker marking underground lines using electromagnetic locating, with a receiver.

Steps for Calling in a Locate Request in Washington State

Washington State law requires anyone planning to dig or disturb the ground to notify utility companies so they can mark underground lines. This process helps prevent accidents and service disruptions. Here’s how to properly call in a locate request:

1. Identify Your Project Location and Scope

   Before calling, clearly define the exact address or coordinates of your project site. Know the approximate area and depth where you plan to dig.

   
   

2. Call 811 or Submit an Online Locate Request

   Dial 811 or use the Washington Utilities Notification Center’s online portal to submit your locate request. This service is free and connects you to all member utilities in your area.

   
   

3. Provide Detailed Information

   When submitting your request, provide:

   • Your contact information

   • Project start date (must allow at least 2 full working days for utilities to respond)

   • Type of work (e.g., landscaping, construction, fence installation)

   • Digging method (hand digging, trenching, boring)

   • Exact location and description of the work area

   
   

4. Wait for Utility Markings

   Utilities have 2 full working days (excluding weekends and holidays) to mark their underground lines with color-coded flags or paint. Do not start digging until all markings are complete.

   
   

5. Respect the Markings and Dig Carefully

   Use the markings as a guide and dig with caution, especially near marked lines. Hand digging is often recommended within 24 inches of a marked utility.

   
   

6. Contact Utilities or Private Locators for Questions

   If you notice unmarked areas or suspect additional utilities, contact the utility companies directly or hire a private locate company for a more thorough investigation.

   
   

Following these steps helps protect you, your property, and the community’s infrastructure.

Common Utilities in Southwest Washington That Respond to Locate Requests

When you call 811 in Southwest Washington, several utilities are expected to respond and mark their underground facilities. These typically include:

• Electric Utilities

Such as Lewis County PUD, Clark Public Utilities, Centralia City Light, Puget Sounds Energy, or Pacific Power, marking underground power lines.

• Natural Gas Providers

Including NW Natural, Puget Sounds Energy, and Cascade Natural Gas, marking gas pipelines.

• Water and Sewer Districts

Local municipal water and sewer departments marking water mains and sewer lines.

• Telecommunications Companies

Providers like CenturyLink, Comcast, Ziply, and Wave Broadband marking fiber optic and telephone cables.

• Cable TV Providers

Often overlapping with telecom, marking coaxial cable lines.

• Stormwater Utilities

City or county storm drain systems may also be marked.

• Public Works Departments

Marking public infrastructure such as traffic signal conduits or street lighting.

Each utility uses a specific color code for marking: red for electric, yellow for gas, blue for water, orange for communications, green for sewer, and purple for reclaimed water.

Hidden Right-of-Ways That Might Go Unnoticed

Many property owners assume that if utilities are aerial or visible outside their home, there are no underground lines to worry about. This assumption can be dangerous. Some right-of-ways and underground utilities are hidden or forgotten, including:

• Old or Abandoned Utility Lines

Sometimes older lines remain buried even if no longer in use, posing a risk if disturbed.

• Public Utility Easements

These are strips of land where utilities have the legal right to install and maintain infrastructure, often running in and along property edges, sidewalks, or alleys.

• Sidewalk and Street Right-of-Ways

Utilities often run beneath sidewalks, streets, or park strips, which may not be obvious from the property owner’s perspective.

• Shared Utility Corridors

Multiple utilities may share the same underground trench or corridor, increasing the density of buried lines.

• Private Lines Not Covered by 811

Some private utilities or service lines on your property may not be marked by 811, such as irrigation systems, underground electrical to outbuildings, or private septic lines.

Recognizing these hidden right-of-ways is important to avoid accidental damage and ensure a safe digging process.

Why Aerial Utilities Don’t Mean No Buried Lines

Just because you see power lines, phone cables, or gas meters outside your home does not mean there are no buried utilities on your property. Many utilities use a combination of aerial and underground infrastructure for reliability and safety. For example:

• Electric service lines may run underground from the pole to your meter.

• Gas lines often run underground from the street to your home’s meter.

• Telecommunications cables may be aerial on the street but underground near the home. Or, may be aerial in street and to home, but still have underground cables in the right of way.

• Water and sewer lines are almost always underground.

  
  

Publicly owned utilities that participate in the 811 system will mark their underground lines, but these may not be visible or obvious without proper locate markings.

What Private Locate Companies Offer Beyond 811

While 811 is a vital service, it has limitations. Private locate companies like Twin City Locating, LLC provide additional benefits that 811 cannot or will not offer:

• Locates for Private Utilities

Private companies can locate irrigation systems, underground electrical to outbuildings, septic lines, and other private infrastructure not covered by 811.

• More Detailed and Accurate Locates

Private locators often use advanced equipment like ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic locators, and sonar to detect utilities with higher precision.

• Locate Verification and Quality Control

They can verify and document existing 811 markings, reducing the risk of missed or inaccurate marks.

• Emergency and Short-Notice Locates

Private companies may provide faster response times for urgent projects or last-minute locates.

• Consultation and Project Support

They offer expert advice on safe digging practices, utility mapping, and risk management tailored to your project.

• Reduced Liability

Hiring a private locator can add an extra layer of protection by ensuring all underground utilities are identified before work begins.

For projects with complex underground infrastructure or private lines, using a private locate company such as locally owned Twin City Locating, LLC, complements the 811 process and enhances safety.