Under the new law, excavators and utilities must report to the UTC any damage to underground facilities within 45 days. Previously, only damage to regulated natural gas and hazardous liquid facilities had to be reported.
In addition, the new law requires excavators to:
- Outline the proposed dig area in white paint prior to calling for a locate
- Make arrangements with the affected utilities when projects exceed 700 linear feet
- Maintain locate marks for 45 days, after which a new locate must be requested
The law did not change the current requirement that all citizens call for a utility locate at least two business days prior to digging, including any digging more than 12 inches in a residential yard or garden.
More information about Washington’s dig law can be found at the UTC website.