Professional Excavators
ITIC - Online Ticketing System for Professional Excavators
White Lining
Excavators are required by law to identify the area of proposed excavation using white paint, stakes, or other suitable white markings in a manner that will enable utility operators to know the boundaries of the proposed excavation activities.

When Should I Call?
- Installing a fence
- Planting trees or shrubs
- Building a patio, addition, deck, garage, outdoor shed or any similar structure that requires any form of digging
- Putting in a new driveway
- Installing a septic system or water drainage system
- Terracing or landscaping
Things To Remember
A ticket is valid for 20 calendar days from the time of the call.
ALWAYS check your ticket status before beginning excavation using Iowa One Call’s Positive Response System.
Hand dig or vacuum excavate within the tolerance zone to expose the facility (18″ on either side of the markings).
Our Excavator Manual Contains All of Your Need-to-Know Information!
For more information about excavator responsibilities, check out our Excavator Manual.
Best Practices are derived from existing multi-industry, governmental and public practices that are determined to be “best” in enhancing safety and through rigorous review and evaluation processes developed by the CGA.
What is the Process for Safe Digging?
1) Excavator Files Locate Request
Effective July 1, 2014, excavators must use white paint, white flags, white stakes, or a combination thereof, to mark the proposed area of excavation (with exceptions. see Iowa Code Section 480.4.e).
4) Excavator digs with care, avoiding damages

2) Iowa One Call processes & submits locate requests to facility operators
3) Facility operators mark dig site or advise if they are ‘clear’
What is the Process for Safe Digging?
1) Excavator Files Locate Request
(White-lining or pre-marking the dig site is strongly encouraged)