How far in advance must O.U.P.S. be notified before a sewer excavation begins?

• A. 48 hours
• B. 30 days
• C. 10 days
• D. 24 hours

Answer: (A)

Before any sewer excavation, you must notify O.U.P.S. at least 48 hours in advance. This notification invites utility operators to mark underground lines so you can dig safely without striking pipes or cables. The 48-hour window provides enough time for all utilities to respond and for markings to be placed, which is why two business days is the standard. Shorter timelines like 24 hours aren’t sufficient for proper coordination, while much longer intervals aren’t necessary for planned work. For planning, if digging starts on a Tuesday, you’d place the notice by the end of the previous Thursday (accounting for two business days).