Lake Region Electric Cooperative
Call Gopher State One Call at 811 before digging in your yard. Whether you’re trenching in a field, planting a tree, or digging a foundation, Minnesota law requires everyone to locate underground utilities before digging. First, contact Gopher State One Call to begin the discovery process, then wait 48 hours (excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays) before any digging begins. Call 811 or visit www.gopherstateonecall.org before you dig. This service is FREE and it’s the law.
LOCATING PRIVATE ELECTRIC UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
When a call is placed to Gopher State One Call, they coordinate with utilities (like LREC) to locate their underground facilities. Homeowners should be aware that private facilities such as gas lines from a propane tank, power running to an outbuilding or shed, an invisible pet fence, or sprinkler systems WILL NOT be marked. In these instances, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to make sure any privately owned underground wires on the customer side of the meter are located prior to digging.
These lines should be located by an electrician or through one of the location service companies listed in the industry directory available on Gopher State One Call’s website. The property owner or tenant is responsible for contacting a private locater and paying the fee for locating private underground facilities.
What are private electric underground facilities?
Private underground facilities, or customer-owned facilities, are those facilities that were installed behind or after the meter. Also, if overhead distribution lines serve the property and the power is then distributed on the property by underground service facilities, those service facilities may be considered private. If the homeowner’s electric meter is located on the property line, then that electric line from the meter to the house is considered privately owned and will not be located.
Where are private facilities found?
Private facilities are found everywhere, including single family homes, multi-family housing units, industrial areas, trailer parks, shopping centers, and sometimes in the road right-of-way. Other private facilities can include: natural gas farm taps, natural gas or propane gas underground piping to buildings, gas grills and pool heaters, private water systems, data communication lines, underground sprinkler systems, invisible fences, and many others.
Unless the property owner participates as a registered facility operator of Gopher State One Call, private or customer-owned facilities will not be marked or notified. If you have a question on whether a facility in your excavation area is considered private or not, please contact that local utility office.