Question 1

What is private utility locating?

Accepted Answer

Private utility locating is the work of finding and marking buried lines on private property before anyone digs. Locators use ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic locators to trace water, electrical, fiber and telecom, gas, sewer and septic, and irrigation lines, then mark them on the ground in APWA colors.

Question 2

Does calling 811 cover private lines?

Accepted Answer

No. Call 811 first — or your provincial one-call centre in Canada — it is free and it is the law. One-call marks the public utility lines up to the meter. Everything on your side of the meter is private: the yard lighting, the irrigation main, the line to the shop or the septic tank. Those are not marked by 811, and finding them is what a private locator does.

Question 3

How do I request a private utility locate?

Accepted Answer

Describe the site and what you need found. A person on our team reads every request and forwards it to locating companies that work in that area. There is no charge to submit a request and no charge for a company to join the network.

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