What is Locating?

Locating is generally understood to mean the process of using surface based methods to detect the presence of buried utilities, pipes, cables, wires or other underground objects and mark their approximate horizontal position on the surface. The terms “locates” or “utility locates” refer to the results of the locating process, i.e. marking and recording of what is found by surface based methods.

Locates are typically provided as a damage prevention measure prior to excavation, or sometimes as input to project design in order to avoid conflicts between planned and existing services.