Private Utility Locating: What Homeowners Need to Know

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Created: Wednesday, 07 July 2021 16:07

Written by Dana Raidt

Once you’ve called 811 or filed a locate request ticket online for your excavation, it might seem like there’s nothing left to do but wait for a positive response from facility operators. But many first-time homeowner excavators don’t know that filing a locate request with Gopher State One Call is just the first part of the underground utility locating process. There is another very important step to take before you dig: contacting a private utility locator.  

If you’ve filed a locate request with Gopher State One Call via phone, you may have noticed a recording at the end of your call reminding you to have private facilities located before you dig. And if you file a ticket online, there will be a reminder in your ticket confirmation email, like the one below.

But what are private utilities and how does locating them work?

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Independence Day (Observed) Closure: Monday, July 5, 2021

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Created: Thursday, 24 June 2021 12:40

Written by Gopher State One Call

Gopher State One Call will be closed Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day, which falls on Sunday, July 4.

Emergency calls are exempt from business hours and are always accepted, even on holidays.

All non-emergency locate requests can be submitted online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but are processed during business hours. Please note that any official holiday will not count toward your standard 48-hour notice when filing locate requests. Please plan accordingly.

Reminder: GSOC’s regular business hours for all ticket types are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Memorial Day closure - Monday May, 31st, 2021

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Created: Thursday, 27 May 2021 10:30

Written by Gopher State One Call

We will be taking calls for emergency locates only on Monday, May 31st in observance of Memorial Day, but remember, you can file a ticket online 24/7. NOTE: Monday will not count towards your standard 48 hour notice when filing a locate, so please plan accordingly.

Gopher State One Call Locate Request Process Changes Effective Friday April 30, 2021

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Created: Thursday, 29 April 2021 10:40

Written by Gopher State One Call

To all Gopher State One Call users:

Please take a moment to review the following Gopher State One Call locate request process changes. The target effective date for these changes is Friday April 30, 2021. They apply to both web-submitted and call center requests.

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Locator Lessons: Safe Digging as a Shared Responsibility

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Created: Wednesday, 28 April 2021 10:55

Written by Dana Raidt

April is National Safe Digging Month, which highlights one of the biggest contributors to safe digging: shared responsibility. As damage prevention professionals navigate day-to-day work issues, it’s easy to become hyper-focused on one’s own daily routine and role. But safe digging requires teamwork among everyone involved in excavation: locators, excavators, facility owners/operators, homeowners and notification centers alike.

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