Advanced Data Acquisition:
Subsurface Utility
Our Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) services provide essential underground utility data, ensuring safe and efficient project execution. Identify potential conflicts early and avoid costly delays with our expertise. We provide levels A-D for comprehensive and verified SUE surveys.
Service Benefits:
Mitigate Risks: Prevent damage to utilities and ensure safe excavation.
Increase Safety: Keep your crews and the public out of harm’s way by reducing dangerous line strikes.
Cost Savings: Avoid rework and unexpected expenses by locating utilities early.
Compliance: Ensure your project complies with all regulations.
Comprehensive Mapping: Gain clarity on utility locations for better planning.
Improved Communication: Coordinate seamlessly with utility providers to keep timelines on track.
What You Can Expect
Our subsurface utility engineering process starts with a site analysis, followed by the use of advanced tools like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic detection to identify and map utilities. We deliver precise reports with utility classifications and design recommendations. This data allows you to make informed decisions and maintain project timelines.
Highlights of Design Projects We Support:
Utility Mapping: Detecting and mapping existing underground utilities like water lines, gas pipes, electrical conduits, and sewer systems to avoid accidental strikes during excavation.
Risk Mitigation: Reducing the risk of project delays, safety hazards, line strikes, and costly repairs by precisely locating utilities before construction begins.
Site Planning and Design: Informing design adjustments and ensuring compliance with regulations by integrating accurate utility maps into site plans.
Environmental Assessment: Identifying potential environmental risks before digging, such as old fuel tanks or hazardous waste.
Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrades: Assisting in maintenance and planning for upgrades by providing insights into the location and condition of existing utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We use advanced technologies like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic detection, along with detailed site surveys, to accurately locate underground utilities.
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We can locate water, gas, sewer, electrical, and telecommunications utilities using our detection services.
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Yes, we can work on active construction sites, coordinating with your team to minimize disruptions and maintain safety.
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Our team adheres to all local, state, and federal regulations, ensuring that utility locating and reporting comply with safety and regulatory requirements.
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SUE stands for Subsurface Utility Engineering and the process combines civil engineering, surveying, and geophysics. There are 4 levels of a SUE survey, A-D, and each level contributes more accuracy and information to be able to verify subsurface utilities in an area. The SUE process was created by the ASCE as a standard for engineers to manage risks associated with the coordination, mapping, conditioning assessments, and design of utilities.
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There are 4 levels of a SUE survey, A-D.
D) SUE Level D is the first step in the SUE process. It's the research stage that looks at existing utility records that exist, people's memory accounts, and hearsay.
C) SUE Level C moves to the mapping stage where above ground, visible utility assets are mapped out through mapping and terrestrial and aerial 3D scanning.
B) SUE Level B adds in underground utility detection. This activity is called designating, and is achieved with tools including GPR.
A) SUE Level A is the verification stage where physical test holes are dug to verify the type, size, depth and direction of a utility.
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8-1-1 or Call Before You Dig are free, public utility locating services. They often utilize RFID readers to locate and mark utility lines on properties. There are often limitations with these services that include: locating sewer/water lines on private property, knowing the depth and materials of lines, they don’t always have records of all utilities on a property, and no one physically digs to verify readings.
SUE Surveys are professional services meant to accurately locate, map, and clear properties of all known and unknown underground utility networks. This includes physical verification of readings with test holes, finding decommissioned lines, old tanks, and more.