Utility Member Responsibilities & Compliance
Missouri 811 utility members are legally required to participate in the state’s underground facility damage prevention system and comply with the requirements established under Missouri law and Missouri 811 Operating Specifications.
This page outlines the governance structure, statutory responsibilities, and annual compliance obligations that apply to all participating utility members.
Legal Responsibilities Under Missouri Law
Participation in Missouri 811 is governed by the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act (RSMo Chapter 319).
Utility members that install, own, or operate underground facilities must:
- Maintain active participation in the notification center
- Receive and respond to locate notifications
- Mark underground facilities or otherwise respond as permitted by law
- Status each ticket prior to the listed start date and time
Failure to meet these statutory obligations may result in enforcement action.
Operational details regarding ticket management and response timelines are outlined on the Ticket Management page.
Response Obligations
Utility members are required to respond to each locate notification within the timeframe defined by Missouri law and applicable ticket type.
At a minimum, this requires either marking the approximate location of underground facilities, requesting additional information when necessary, or advising the excavator that the facilities are clear or not in conflict.
All responses must be properly documented and statused through the Locator Ticket Management (LTM) system.
Upon receipt of an excavator’s locate request, the utilities are required by law to either:
Mark the approximate location of their underground lines.
If it is determined that markings are required, the locate request will be dispatched to a field locator who will locate and mark the excavation site with paint, stakes or flags. Utilities mark their facilities according to specific guidelines and Color Codes.
Request additional information if necessary.
If the area of excavation cannot be determined from the description provided by the excavator prior to marking, the owner/operator may require the excavator to:
- Mark (white line) the proposed area of excavation
- Provide project plans
- Or, meet at the excavation site, prior to marking by the owner/operator
Either party may request an on-site meeting to clarify markings, which must occur within two working days of the request for this meeting.
Advise you if they are "Clear/No Conflict”.
In some cases, the member may be able to determine from the information on the locate request that it has no underground facilities which could be affected by your excavation.
In these cases, the members are required to notify you that they are “Clear/No Conflict” at the dig site.
Methods of advising the excavator that they have no facilities at the dig site include:
- Calling the telephone number of the excavator or supervisor managing the excavation.
- Leaving a message on a recording device.
- Calling the cell phone of the excavator or supervisor of the excavation.
- Notifying the excavator by facsimile or by e-mail.
- Marking “Clear/No Conflict” at the site.
- By verbally informing the excavator in person.
- By use of a locate status system.
Following their response to the locate request, the utilities are also required to:
Status their response to the excavators locate request using the Locator Ticket Management System (LTM).
Utilities may request more time to locate the underground utilities by submitting a request via the Locator Ticket Management (LTM) system or by calling Missouri 811 prior to the start date/time listed on the locate request.
If the utility fails to respond to the locate request, the following will occur.
No Response Tickets
To be requested when one or more utilities fail to respond to the original locate request. If notification is made before 2 pm, the marking shall be completed that working day. If the notification is made after 2 pm, the marking is to be completed no later than 10 am the next working day.
Annual Database and Contact Verification
Utility members are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all data and information provided to Missouri 811.
This includes reviewing and verifying:
Mapping coverage areas
Primary and secondary contact information
Ticket receiving methods
A reminder is sent to the Primary and Mapping Contacts annually. Maintaining accurate records is essential to prevent missed notifications and reduce risk of underground facility damage.
By-Laws and Operating Specifications
Missouri 811 operates under formal By-Laws and Operating Specifications adopted by the membership and Board of Directors.
These documents define governance structure, member obligations, operational policies, and procedures that guide the notification center’s activities.
Utility members are expected to remain familiar with these governing documents. Current versions are available for download through Missouri 811.
Operating Committee
The Operating Committee meets quarterly to discuss issues relating to the one-call system and to make policy recommendations to the Missouri 811 Board of Directors.
Utility members interested in system operations, policy discussions, and damage prevention initiatives are invited to attend.
Meeting dates are posted on the Missouri 811 website, and members are notified by email in advance of scheduled meetings.
Additional Responsibilities for Sewer and Water Utilities
Missouri law includes additional language addressing certain responsibilities of sewer and water utilities.
Members operating sewer or water systems should review the applicable statutory provisions and ensure their response and marking procedures align with those requirements.
The Missouri law addresses additional responsibilities of sewer and water utilities in section 319.031.
Maintaining Good Standing
Maintaining compliance requires consistent attention to statutory obligations, internal procedures, and timely responses to excavation notifications.
Utility members are encouraged to periodically review:
Missouri Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act requirements
Missouri 811 Operating Specifications
Internal locate performance metrics
Annual verification deadlines
Proactive compliance protects underground infrastructure and supports the statewide damage prevention program.
For questions regarding member compliance, contact Missouri 811 Administration at 573-635-1818.