The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) reminds residents to plan ahead and call 811 before conducting any digging projects this season.

Planning ahead helps prevent accidentally hitting an underground utility line when digging, PUD said.

PUD customers should use the “Call Before You Dig” hotline at 811 at least two working days ahead of time before starting a digging project of more than 12 inches deep, including landscaping, remodeling and fencing. 811 hotline staff will work to provide the locations of lines that serve power, gas, water, sewer and/or telephone utilities that are located along the right of way of a resident’s property.

The PUD owns and maintains underground services on private property for residential single family homes and will mark lines up to customers’ meters. Apartment buildings, schools and mobile home parks may need to retain a private locator, depending on meter locations. Private locators are available to provide this service for a fee.

The 811 hotline is a free service, which is required by law. Severed utility cables or water lines not only inconvenience people, they are expensive to repair. If your digging interrupts power or water service, it is restored at your cost.