Additional Information
What Are Public Utilities?
Public utilities are lines and infrastructure owned and maintained by a municipality or utility company. Before excavation begins, contacting 811 allows participating utility operators to mark the approximate location of their underground facilities at no charge to the excavator.
In Tennessee, excavators are required to contact Tennessee 811 before digging and allow the required waiting period for affected utility operators to respond.
What Are Private Utilities?
Private utilities are lines and infrastructure that are owned or maintained by the property owner and may not be included in a standard 811 locate. These utilities can extend beyond the utility company's ownership or service point and may include electrical lines, water lines, gas lines, sewer laterals, communication lines, lighting circuits, irrigation systems, and other privately owned infrastructure.
This is where a professional private utility locator can help. Alsip Locating Service uses electromagnetic (EM) locating, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and other locating methods to help identify private underground utilities before excavation, drilling, boring, or construction begins.
811 should always be the first call before you dig. When private utilities may be present, Alsip Locating Service can help locate what may fall outside the scope of the public utility locate.
Common Types of Private Utilities
- Water & Sewer Lines: The water line running from your meter to the house, and sewer laterals running from the main tap into the structure.
- Electrical Extensions: Secondary lines providing power to a detached garage, shed, pool pump, or landscape lighting.
- Gas & Propane Lines: Secondary piping extending past the main gas meter to outdoor grills, fire pits, or pool heaters.
- Communication & Security: Underground lines for invisible dog fences, private fiber networks, security systems, or satellite dishes.
- Sanitation & Irrigation: Septic tanks, drain fields, private well lines, and lawn sprinkler or irrigation systems.
Electromagnetic Locating Technology
Electromagnetic (EM) Utility Locating is a proven method used to accurately identify and trace the path of buried conductive utilities, including electric, gas, telecommunications, cable TV, and metallic water lines. Using specialized transmitters and receivers, a signal is applied to the utility, allowing technicians to determine its location, direction, and depth from the surface.
EM locating plays a critical role in preventing utility strikes, reducing excavation risks, and improving project safety. By accurately marking underground infrastructure before digging begins, contractors and project owners can avoid costly damages, delays, and service interruptions.
Ground Penetrating Radar Technology
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-destructive technology used to locate and map underground utilities, structures, and subsurface features. GPR works by transmitting high-frequency radar waves into the ground and analyzing the reflected signals to identify buried objects and changes in material composition below the surface.
Unlike traditional locating methods, GPR can detect both metallic and non-metallic utilities, and more making it an effective solution for locating
- PVC
- concrete drains
- fiber-optic
- UST's
- septic tanks
- other non-conductive systems
Concrete Scanning Technology
Concrete GPR scanning helps identify what’s inside concrete before cutting, drilling, or coring . GPR concrete scanning helps contractors know what’s inside the concrete before they cut, core, or drill—reducing risk, saving money, and keeping projects on schedule.