FAQ
Q: Where can I get information on state and local regulations?
You can find the Alaska Statutes regulating excavations in Title 42, Chapter 30, and Anchorage Municipal Code in Chapter 26.
Q: How long is a locate good for?
Each utility tariff is different. There is no standarized or legislated time a locate is good for. State Law requires you to give notice up to 15 working days prior to excavation; 20 working days in remote areas. It is the excavator’s resonsibility to maintain markings. Given the volatile Alaskan weather and the constant changes to an active construction site’s conditions; if you can’t see the marks clearly don’t guess - call for a relocate to get the marks refreshed.
Q: What is the standard depth for buried utilities?
811 Alaska Digline does not have buried facility depth information. Facilities are generally buried according to code requirements at the time of installation. Post-installation depth varies due to erosion, extreme weather conditions, grading, landscaping etc. Depth of facilities cannot be guaranteed; therefore, excavators are required to hand dig within two feet of either side of the buried utility, or if digging deeper than ten feet, hand dig within 30 inches of the outside dimension of the line.
Q: Can I get the locate before the two day notice?
811 Alaska Digline will request a “short notice” locate to make the member facility owners aware of your needs as a courtesy. State Law requires the utilities to have locates completed within 2 working days. It is highly unlikely that ALL facility owners will be able to squeeze you in. If an excavator digs before the two days they are in violation of state law, subject to penalities and fines. All damages to facilities and all administrative costs will be billed to the excavator.
Q: What colors do the utilities use to mark underground utility lines?
Q: Do I have to be on site when the locators arrive?
Most utilities do not require on site presence as long as locations are accessible, there are no aggressive animals and the excavation site is either delineated in white paint or is clear and succinct on the locate request; however, there are a few exceptions.
Q: Will the Call Center notify all the utilities in my area?
The operator will list the member utilities that will be notified. Membership in the One-Call Utility Locates is voluntary. Non-member utility locates will need to be coordinated with the individual companies separately.
Q: Why has nobody called me to confirm the locate has been completed?
Utilities in Alaska do not have “positive response”. Locates are required by law to be completed in two working days or within 10 working days in remote areas. It is the excavator’s responsibility to maintain the markings. However, if you believe the locates are incorrect or incomplete, 811 Alaska Digline will research it for you and work to resolve the issue.
Q: Is there a charge for this locate?
Under Alaska State Law, there is no charge to the excavator for the first underground facility marking prior to excavation on a project. Alaska Statute allows a utility to receive compensation from the excavator for costs incurred responding to subsequent requests to locate the same facility during an excavation project.
Q: What is a private line?
A private line is any line that is consumer owned and therefore not maintained by a member utility. Contact the specific utility company directly to see if the line in question is considered a private line. If you require a private facility to be located, you will need to contract a private locating company in your area to mark the facility.
Q: When is my design survey going to be completed?
Design survey utility markings may be provided by facility owners in accordance with their unique company tariffs and policies — as personnel is available. 811 Alaska Digline will process your request for design survey markings to coordinate possible utility conflicts. The scheduling of locates and/or furnishing of record drawings are coordinated by the utility personnel and the requestor directly.
Q: How do facility owners/utilities get on the notification list?
Facility owners sign up and register their service area with Alaska Digline and pay a membership fee to be notified of proposed excavation near their facilities. This directs excavators to trained damage prevention specialists and provides documentation of the dig location, project information, excavator as well as other member facility owners at that location. Check our membership page for more information.
To find out more about membership in the Alaska One-Call utility locates, email your inquiry to membership@akonecall.com .
