South Dakota 811 2024 Damage Prevention Schedule

Portal for Professional Excavators

Portal for Professional Excavators is our online application where you can easily enter tickets, map your work area, and search for locate tickets.

Basic Portal Access: Enter your locate request online. The request will be processed by the South Dakota 811 Center, and a copy of your locate request and ticket number will be emailed within two hours.

Advanced Portal Access: You will be able to map your work area and receive an immediate response with your ticket number when you submit a locate request in this manner. This is an easy process and provides excavators with a more accurate locate request. This feature requires a short demo/training session. Contact training@sd811.com to request a demo and get started.

Click Open Portal below to create your own login. You will now be able to submit your requests directly to the South Dakota 811 Center for immediate processing. Your locate ticket will be emailed back to you immediately.

Reporting Damages to Underground Utilities

Reporting any damage to any underground service, no matter how minor, is required by South Dakota law. Even a small nick can break down later and cause a gas leak, water leak or corrosion to electrical wires any utility.

  • Report damages, dislocation, or disturbance of facilities to the South Dakota 811 and to the operator of the damaged line, if known.
  • Immediately report escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid to 911, South Dakota 811 and the operator of the damaged utility line, if known.
  • Do not attempt to conceal or repair any damaged line.

5 Easy Steps to Keep You Safe on Your Next Project.

Step 1

Contact South Dakota 811 at least two-business days before you dig

Step 2

Ask the property owner or general contractor if there are any private lines on the property

An electric line running to a shed or greenhouse, or a gas line for an outdoor grill are examples of private lines.

Private lines are not located by the utility companies but need to be identified to prevent damage.

Step 3

Wait for the locators to completely mark your underground utilities

Work (or excavation) cannot begin until the start date and time of your locate ticket. Prior to starting, you should verify all utilities have responded. If needed, please contact the 811 center to request a verification ticket.

View Color Codes to Identify Locator Marks

Step 4

Dig with care

Any digging within 18” of the locators’ marks should be with hand tools only, until you can see the exact location of the underground utility.

If you dig outside of the originally requested work area, you must request a new ticket to locate this additional area.

Step 5

Report any damages to underground utilities

Immediately report any escape of flammable, toxic or corrosive gas or liquid to 911, South Dakota 811, and the utility company, if known.

Report damages, dislocation or disturbance of underground facilities to South Dakota 811 and the utility company, if known.

Do not attempt to repair any nicked or hit utility line.