Utility color codes are used to identify existing underground utilities in construction areas with the intent of protecting them from damage during excavation. This is done with either flags or a special spray paint, neither of which will cause long-term harm to your lawn.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are listed below:
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Red | Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables |
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Orange | Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit |
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Yellow | Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Material |
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Green | Sewers and Drain Lines |
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Blue | Potable Water |
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Purple | Reclaimed Water, Irrigation, and Slurry Lines |
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White | Proposed Excavation |
My lawn is marked and I didn’t contact Virginia 811. Why?
When someone submits a Locate Request—whether it’s a neighbor, a utility company, or a public agency like VDOT or your city—utility operators mark any underground lines that could be affected by planned digging nearby. So, even if you didn’t contact Virginia 811, someone near your property likely did.
To better understand what type of utility was marked, refer to the APWA color code chart—each color corresponds to a different utility (e.g., red for electric, yellow for gas). Use this chart as a general guide to interpret the markings on your property.
Each utility company uses a specific letter code when marking, which helps identify who placed the markings.
If you require additional assistance, you can also contact the Virginia 811 Help Desk by calling 811 and selecting the Help Desk option.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Location Enhanced Ticket Search (LETS) and the Ticket Search
With Virginia 811’s transition to a new center software platform, Exactix, on June 27, 2025, the LETS feature and the Ticket Search function on our website (both part of our previous system) have been retired. This change was made in response to evolving privacy regulations and mobile platform requirements.
While these older tools are no longer available, the location enhanced ticket search function is now built directly into our new platform. Users must log in with a registered Exactix account to access locate request information.