Utility Locating in British Columbia
Subsurface utility locating and mapping for buried pipes, cables, and conduits before excavation on BC properties.
Professional Utility Locating Across BC
Our utility locating service uses electromagnetic (EM) induction and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technologies to detect and trace buried utilities. EM locating works by inducing an electromagnetic field onto a metallic pipe or cable and then tracing that signal along its path using a receiver. This method is highly effective for tracing metallic water pipes, gas lines, electrical conduits, and telecommunications cables. For non-metallic utilities — plastic water pipes, PVC conduits, fibre optic cables — we use GPR, which can detect the buried objects directly regardless of material composition. By combining both technologies, we provide comprehensive utility mapping for virtually any buried infrastructure.
Our utility locating process follows BC One Call (BC1) standards and best practices. We begin with a site review and a request for existing utility records. On site, we mark the proposed excavation area and conduct systematic scanning using EM and GPR equipment. Located utilities are marked on the ground using the standardized colour code (red for electric, yellow for gas, blue for water, green for sewer, orange for communications). We provide depth information where possible and note any utilities that cannot be definitively located. Our reports include site plans with the mapped utility locations, photographs, and a summary of findings. We serve homeowners planning landscape or foundation work, contractors preparing for excavation, strata corporations investigating underground infrastructure, and municipalities requiring accurate utility records for capital projects.
How Utility Locating Works
Site review and utility record request from BC One Call and local utilities
Electromagnetic locating of metallic pipes and cables with signal induction
GPR scanning for non-metallic utilities and confirmation of EM findings
Surface marking with standardized colour codes and depth notation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need private utility locating if I called BC One Call?
Yes. BC One Call (1-800-474-6886) arranges for public utility locates — gas, hydro, telecom, cable — but does not locate private utilities on your property such as private water lines, septic systems, irrigation lines, underground power to outbuildings, or private communication lines. Our service covers both public and private utilities within your property boundaries.
What are the standardized utility marking colours?
The APWA uniform colour code is: Red — electric power, Yellow — gas/oil, Orange — communications, Blue — water, Green — sewer/drain, Purple — reclaimed water, Pink — temporary survey markings, White — proposed excavation limits. Our technicians mark all located utilities using these standard colours.
Can you locate non-metallic pipes and conduits?
Yes. While plastic pipes do not conduct electricity and cannot be detected by standard EM locating, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) can detect them based on the contrast between the pipe material and the surrounding soil. We use GPR as a complement to EM locating for comprehensive coverage.
How accurate are utility locates?
Under good conditions, EM locates are accurate within 30-50 cm horizontally. GPR accuracy is similar but depends on soil conditions, with sandy soils providing better results than heavy clay. Depth accuracy is typically within 15-25% of the actual depth. We mark all locate tolerances and uncertainties in our field markings and reports.
Key Benefits
- Prevents utility strikes that cause injuries, service outages, and costly repairs
- Combines EM locating and GPR for both metallic and non-metallic utilities
- Follows BC One Call standards and standardized colour marking codes
- Reduces project delays caused by unexpected underground obstacles
- Provides depth information for safe excavation planning
- Serves residential, commercial, and municipal clients across BC
Service Areas
Available across British Columbia:
Schedule Your Utility Locating Inspection Today
Contact LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca — for professional, non-invasive utility locating across British Columbia.