Subsurface Utility Location Services

To find underground utilities, Gainesville has trusted one firm for over 13 years. eda. While underground metallic pipes and wires aren’t easy to spot, our commitment to North Central Florida is.

Having a plan to either protect or safely remove existing underground utilities is important to keep a project moving forward.

Knowing the location of underground utilities is an asset to civil engineers, developers, landowners, and utility companies and assists in making appropriate design decisions.

eda utilizes state‐of‐the‐art electronic locating equipment, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and property trained personnel to create an accurate representation of the underground facilities at a project site. Our typical project includes marking all known traceable public and private utilities. Electronic detection equipment is used to mark & locate all metallic pipes and wires made evident by above‐ground fixtures, signage, or available utility maps. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is then used to look for additional utility lines, such as:

Non‐Metallic Lines (PVC pipes typically go unnoticed to a locator’s transmitter, however GPR can often reveal the location of these utilities).

Lines not shown on available utility maps (private utility lines, abandoned utility lines & certain communication lines are normally not shown on maps).

Uses for Underground Utility Locations

Engineers/Surveyors/Architects: The location of underground utility lines are an important part of a site design and assist with making appropriate design decisions. Having a plan to either protect or safely remove existing underground utilities at a site is important to keep a project moving forward.

Attorneys/Lenders: Was the telephone line buried where the easement exists today? Attorneys and lenders often need to know the location of underground utility lines to address concerns over proposed/existing easements or any potential encroachments onto their client’s property. This concern is typically requested through Optional Item #11 of an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey to support a real estate transaction and/or financing requirements.

Private Utility Owners and Contractors: Are you proceeding with construction or digging projects on private property? Public utility companies will only mark their public utilities to protect them from damage. A private water line servicing your apartment complex would not be marked in accordance with an 811 or similar utility locate request. eda can provide this service for your private lines, protecting your investment.

Can eda locate all subsurface utility lines at my project site?

eda has an excellent track record of accurate utility locates. However, because of several factors that are beyond the control of eda (broken, non‐grounded, or non‐existing trace wires on non‐metallic lines, fiber optic cables with no metallic sheath or trace wire, clay or wet soils, crossed trace wires, lines in close proximity to each other, lines that are very deep, lines not evidenced by any above ground fixtures or signage, etc.) eda cannot guarantee that the location of utility lines at a site is complete, that the line locations are completely accurate or that the utility type is correct. Depending on site design – the location of critical underground utilities should be confirmed through excavation (eda can coordinate with a third party to provide this service).

Are the locations of utility lines as shown from available maps good enough for my project without having them located?

Depending on project requirements, scaling the location of underground utility lines from available maps may be good enough to meet your goals. However, depending on the accuracy of the maps and your project tolerances, a utility location may be necessary. eda has received surveys from outside sources showing utility lines per plans: when these lines were located on‐site their true location differed by 20 feet. Is the gas line shown in the grass when scaled from the available plans really beneath the asphalt? Is there a line in the way of your proposed sewer connection?

What are eda’s utility location deliverable options?

Utility lines will be marked with flags and/or paint or chalk using “Guidelines for Marking Underground Facilities” published by the American Public Works Association (APWA).

Specific Purpose Surveys showing the location of underground utilities in relation to a previously established property lines, building lines, survey control points, etc.

Field sketches of underground utility locates.