What's New

Just Three Numbers to Dial Before You Dig

Iowans can now call a new national 811 number to request utility locate services. Launched in May, this federally mandated, standardized 811 phone number allows callers anywhere in the country to reach the respective One Call Center within the state from which they're calling. Iowans may also continue to use Iowa One Call's toll-free number (800-292-8989) to request utility locates. Special rules exclusively for Iowa farmers can help them determine when to make the call.

15-Inch Rule Exclusively for Farmers

Iowa farmers and ranchers do a lot of digging, which can make it challenging for them to determine when to request a utility locate. An easy-to-remember "15-inch rule" has been set exclusively for Iowa farmers. "Farmers are not required to contact Iowa One Call prior to normal farming operations that do not penetrate the soil more than 15 inches, including plowing, cultivating, planting and harvesting. Farming operations that do penetrate the soil more than fifteen inches, such as chisel plowing, subsoiling, ripping, tiling and terracing, do require prior notification to Iowa One Call," says Ben Booth, public relations coordinator for Iowa One Call.

Although farmers may know where a pipeline is located and think they know how deep it is, the land can change over time with erosion. "Farmers should leave it to facility owners to mark utilities. If farmers hit a pipeline, they could be critically injured or seriously impacted financially. Violations of the Iowa One Call law relating to pipeline incidents may result in civil penalties ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, and the financial liability stemming from environmental and property damage may extend into the seven figures," says Booth.

Digging a Vegetable Garden on the Farm

Rural residents may not think twice about digging in their vegetable gardens. While most routine vegetable gardening activities don't require utility locates, people should notify Iowa One Call before digging a new garden or using equipment, such as a power tiller. Iowa law defines "excavation" as an operation in which a structure or earth, rock or other material in or on the ground is moved, removed, compressed or otherwise displaced by means of any tools or equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, digging, drilling, driving, grading, scraping, trenching, tiling, tunneling, ditching and demolition of structures. Excavation does not include the aforementioned "normal farming operations."

New Mascot Provides Friendly Reminders

Since early spring, Iowa One Call's new mascot, Gabby the Groundhog, has been busy helping spread the word about the new 811 number and making it easier than ever for farmers and other Iowans to remember to call before they dig. Gabby's "Ground Rules for Safe Digging" are appearing on everything from billboards to grocery bags to television and radio spots across the state. In Gabby's words, "Please dig safely! Have your underground utilities marked first. It's fast. It's free. It's the law."

Behind the Scenes at Iowa One Call

When Iowa One Call receives a call from a farmer, homeowner or contractor, multiple "locate requests" are transmitted to all utilities involved. The various utility companies then dispatch personnel to the area to locate and mark their underground facilities with color-coded paint markings and flags. Because the horizontal location of any underground facility is defined as including an area 18 inches on either side of the underground facility, people are advised to avoid digging within this "tolerance zone."

About Iowa One Call

Iowa One Call is a non-profit organization with over 1,500 members, including city and county utilities, electric companies, gas companies, water and sewer districts, telephone companies and cable TV and Internet providers. Iowa One Call coordinates the marking of underground facilities throughout the state -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each year, Iowa One Call personnel handle more than 400,000 incoming calls and coordinate over 2 million underground facility locates within Iowa. Historically, the Center's peak period is from April through October, when customer service representatives average more than 45,000 calls per month. For more information, visit www.iowaonecall.com.

When Should Farmers Contact Iowa One Call?

Rules exclusively for Iowa farmers

Call before excavations, including:

• Chisel plowing
• Subsoiling
• Ripping
• Drain tile excavating
• Terracing
• Waterway projects
• Digging or driving a new fence post
• Any project penetrating soil 15 inches or more

Normal farm operations don't require a call, including:

• Plowing (penetrating less than 15 inches)
• Cultivating (penetrating less than 15 inches)
• Planting
• Harvesting
• Replacing a fence post in its existing location
• Normal field activities penetrating soil less than 15 inches

Farmers who contact Iowa One call and comply with the state excavation rules are not held responsible for damages that occur in normal farming operations -- providing the damage was not intentional or caused by recklessness or wanton disregard. For additional rules for farmers, visit the "Farm Operations" link at www.iowaonecall.com.

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Editor's Note: The information in this news release is accurate per Iowa Law (Chapter 480, Iowa Code). Please use this exact language to prevent any misrepresentation of the law. Please call us if you have any questions regarding this law. Thank you.

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