# What do these utility markings mean exactly?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-utility-markings-mean-exactly/687907>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 7, 2014, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-utility-markings-mean-exactly/687907 "2014-05-07T19:37:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-utility-markings-mean-exactly/687907/21 "2014-05-08T20:08:57Z")

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[Here’s](http://onecall.sd.gov/) the South Dakota One-Call page that explains the program and also has a handy-dandy chart that shows the different colors of markings and their meanings.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-these-utility-markings-mean-exactly/687907/22 "2014-05-08T20:09:23Z")

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> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> Utility markers use paint almost exclusively. It has to last for a few weeks through rain, traffic, etc. It does wear away eventually after a few months, depending on weather.
> 
> ETA: Or they use flags if marking lines in a field.

Thanks, TroutMan.

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