What Do The Colored Flags In The Ground Mean?

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What do the colored flags in the ground mean?

yard flagsAt one time or another, you’ve probably noticed small flags of various colors placed in your yard or in the grass around town. Sometimes the grass is also marked with paint. What does this mean?

It means someone in the vicinity is planning to do some digging and they called Diggers' Hotline at 811 to mark the areas where utilities such as electricity, water, gas, phone or other lines are buried. If these lines are not marked and someone digs up a line, it could be detrimental.

But what do all the different colors mean? The American Public Works Association has color-coded all utilities so it’s easy for those in the industry to immediately identify what utility is running where. Here’s a key to the flags’ colors:

RED – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables

YELLOW – Gas, Oil, Steam Petroleum or Gaseous Materials

ORANGE – Communication, Cable TV, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit

BLUE – Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines

GREEN – Sewers and Drain Lines

PINK – Temporary Survey Markings

WHITE – Proposed Excavation

Remember to call Digger’s Hotline at (414) 259-1181 or dial 811 before you dig. Having underground facilities properly located could save your life!

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