Information about Email-A-Locate

The Email-A-Locate program is provided to give the user the opportunity to submit standard locate requests and planning purpose requests without having to call the call center.

Clicking on this link indicates your understanding and acceptance of the procedures listed on this page. Click here to begin filing your locate request

Hints and tips on using email-a-locate can be found here.

A Reminder:   Diggers Hotline and our members do not deal with private facilities, including propane lines.

 

It is important that you understand the following about Email-A-Locate:

  1. If a user clicks the “submit” button on the web form and does not receive a tracking number, or receives a browser error, it should be assumed that Diggers Hotline has not received the information.
  2. Even though the program allows requested start dates/times to be a minimum of 3 working days, it is recommended that users allow for 4 working days.  This insures that should a problem arise, more time is available to rectify the situation.
  3. Most importantly, NEVER assume that your responsibility ends when “submit” is clicked.  It is your responsibility to verify you have received a copy of the ticket. If you do not receive your ticket from Diggers Hotline you are NOT clear to dig.
  4. If you wish to bookmark any page in the Email-A-Locate process, make sure it is this page.
  5. Periodically check this page for important information.  If Diggers Hotline is experiencing technical difficulties with Email-A-Locate, this page is the best spot to find out that information. 
  6. If you should have any questions about whether or not your information has been received, please contact 1-800-722-4120.

 
If you have questions about Email-A-Locate, please e-mail us or call (800) 722-4120 


		
DIGGERS HOTLINE LOCATE REQUEST PROCEDURES

		
    
  
  1. Only routine, non-emergency locate requests with a start date 
  of not less than three working days and planning-purpose requests will be 
  accepted. It should be noted that under certain circumstances, a fourth day 
  may be needed.  Also the start date cannot be more than 30 calendar days in 
  the future. 
    2. 
  
  2. The tracking number given at the end of the Email-A-Locate process is
  NOT a Diggers Hotline ticket number.  The tracking number is used for 
  tracking the process of your locate request. Your Diggers Hotline ticket 
  number and start date and time will be e-mailed to you after your locate 
  request has been processed at the call center.
    3. 
  
  3. Only one excavation site is allowed per locate request. 
  Large projects, such as gas or sewer main installation, can be described as 
  one locate request provided the work involves a single street. 
  Example: Work on 
  Wisconsin Ave. between First St. 
  and Tenth St. can be submitted on one locate request. Additional work for the 
  same project, but on a different street, must be submitted on a separate 
  locate request.
    4. 
  
  4. Provide the required information in the Contractor Information and 
  Work Information areas. If you have problems or questions regarding the 
  information required, please refer to the
  How to Use Diggers Hotline
  page and/oror the Email-a-Locate guide.
    5. 
  
  5. Enter the date that you desire to start your excavation. It is 
  recommended that users allow for 4 working days. The date should be less than 
  30 calendar-days from the current date.
    6. 
  
  6. Choose the best option under the Type of Work pull-down menu.  If 
  there is not a adequate option, click the circle next to the blank field and 
  type in the type of work.
    7. 
  
  7. If you are submitting a planning purpose ticket, choose a start date 
  and time that is 10 calendar days from the next business day. Be sure to 
  indicate your locate request is “FOR PLANNING PURPOSE ONLY” in the Remarks 
  area.
    8. 
  
  8. Enter marking instructions as clearly and concisely as possible. 
  Describe the specific area on the worksite where excavation will take place 
  and where underground facilities need to be located and marked. The word 
  "mark" should be included. Example: Mark the entire W half of lot.
  
    9. 
  
  9. You may include any other comments or information that you feel is 
  pertinent in the Remarks section.
    10. 
  
  10. Upon receipt, Diggers Hotline will review all locate requests for completeness. If there is a concern, Diggers Hotline will first attempt to contact you by phone between 8 AM and 9 PM. After that, contact will be made by e-mail with a request for clarification or additional information.  If sufficient information is not received in three business days, the locate request will be voided.
    11. 
  
  11. If the locate request has the required information, it will be 
  assigned to an operator for verification in the Diggers Hotline database as 
  staffing permits. An attempt will be made to process the locate request during 
  the current working-hours block whenever possible. It is understood that the 
  possibility exists that you will have to wait four working-days rather than 
  three for the assigned start date and time.
    12. 
  
  12. The start time you will be assigned is based upon the 
  time that the information is verified in the Diggers Hotline database unless 
  the requested start date is more than four days from the time it is entered 
  into the database.
    13. 
  
  13. It is the responsibility of the originating company to verify that 
  they receive a response to each locate request sent to Diggers Hotline. It is 
  the total responsibility of the originating company to verify the accuracy of 
  all of the information contained in the Diggers Hotline response. 
    14. 


		

  





Diggers Hotline will provide the originating company with a copy of the 
actual locate request that is sent to the appropriate member companies.