FIELD REFERENCE
Know the marking colors.
These common American Public Works Association marking colors help explain what facility markers mean. They are not a map of buried facilities or a guarantee of clearance.
Standard utility color guide
Color identification is one part of the safe excavation process. Always follow your official locate responses and field guidance.
Red
Electric power lines and cables
Electric power lines and cables
Yellow
Gas, oil, steam and petroleum
Gas, oil, steam and petroleum
Orange
Communications and signal lines
Communications and signal lines
Blue
Potable water
Potable water
Green
Sewer and drain lines
Sewer and drain lines
Purple
Reclaimed water and irrigation
Reclaimed water and irrigation
Pink
Temporary survey markings
Temporary survey markings
White
Proposed excavation limits
Proposed excavation limits
Never rely on this color guide alone to determine utility locations or whether it is safe to dig.