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Utility Hotline

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Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 2026

Utility Hotline operates a free lead-referral service that connects people who need private utility locating work with independent service providers in our partner network. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using this site or submitting a request, you agree to the practices described here.

Information we collect

We collect the information you choose to give us when you submit a quote request. That typically includes:

  • Your name, email address, and phone number.
  • The locating service or utility type you need.
  • Project details such as city, state or province, timeframe, and the description you provide.
  • Optional details such as your company name or a preference to receive text messages.
  • Basic attribution and technical data, such as the page you submitted from, referral source, and anonymized analytics, used to understand how the site is performing and to reduce abuse.

We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under the age of 18, and this site is not directed at children.

Why we collect it

The core purpose is simple: to send your request to independent utility locating service providers who serve your location and can provide a quote. We also use the information to send you a confirmation, to follow up about your request if needed, to operate and improve the service, and to protect the site against spam and fraud.

How we share your information

To fulfill your request, we forward the details you submit, including your name, email, phone number, and project details, to the Hydrovac Hotline network (operated at hydrovachotline.org), our lead-fulfillment partner. That network routes your request to independent utility locating service providers who serve your location, so they can prepare a quote and contact you directly. This sharing is the service you are asking us to perform.

We also rely on a small number of trusted third-party providers (“sub-processors”) that process limited data on our behalf so the service can function. Each may use the data only to provide its service to us:

  • InstantDB stores your quote request, including your contact and project details, in our database.
  • Resend delivers transactional email, such as your request confirmation, using your name and email address.
  • Vercel hosts the site and provides privacy-conscious, first-party analytics.

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only to fulfill your request, with the sub-processors described above, or where required by law.

Cookies and analytics

We use privacy-conscious, first-party analytics provided by Vercel to measure traffic and site performance. This analytics is cookieless and does not identify you personally; it records only aggregate signals such as page views and load times. Separately, we use your browser’s local storage to keep the site working, such as remembering your session and saving your progress on the request form so a reload does not erase it. You can clear that at any time through your browser settings.

City autocomplete

Our request form includes a city autocomplete to help you enter your location. Suggestions come from our own list of US and Canadian cities, held on our servers. The text you type in that field is sent only to us, never to a mapping or geocoding provider, and it is used only to return matching city names, not stored as a record of you. No lookup happens until you begin typing in that field, and you can type your city manually without selecting a suggestion.

Text messaging (SMS)

The request form includes an optional “Text me about my request” checkbox. It is unchecked by default, checking it is entirely your choice, and consent to receive text messages is not a condition of using the Service or of any purchase. If you leave it unchecked, we record no opt-in and send you no text messages.

If you do check it, we store that preference alongside your request and forward it with the rest of the request to the Hydrovac Hotline network and the locating companies that receive it, so that we and they know you are willing to be texted about the job. Those companies may then contact you by text about your request, in addition to or instead of calling or emailing you.

We do not sell your mobile number or your text-message consent, and we do not share either with any third party for that party’s own marketing. Both are shared only with the network and the locating companies handling your request, and are used only for messages about that request, such as confirmations, follow-ups, and quotes. We do not use them for unrelated marketing campaigns.

Message frequency varies with your request and how many companies respond. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your carrier and plan. Reply STOP to any message to opt out of further messages, or HELP for help. You can also withdraw consent at any time by emailing us at support@utilityhotline.org. Opting out stops messages from us; a locating company you have already been put in touch with handles your information and its own messaging under its own practices, so you may need to tell that company directly as well.

Data retention

We retain quote requests and related records for as long as needed to operate the service, support the service providers who respond, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it.

Your choices and rights

You may ask us to access, correct, or delete the personal information you have submitted, and you may opt out of any non-essential communications from us at any time. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under applicable privacy laws. To exercise any of these, contact us using the details below and we will respond within a reasonable time. Note that once a request has been shared with a service provider, that service provider handles your information under its own privacy practices.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information we hold, including encrypted transport (HTTPS) and restricted access to stored data. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above. Material changes will be reflected on this page, and your continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your information? Email us at support@utilityhotline.org.