Understanding Public vs. Private Utility Locating Services

When it comes to locating utilities, it’s essential to distinguish between public and private utility locating services. This distinction affects who is responsible for identifying buried utility lines on a property.

Public Utility Locating

Public utility locating services are provided by the utility companies themselves. These companies are responsible for marking the utilities that they own and maintain. Typically, these utilities run from the street to the meter on a property. These services ensure that no disruption occurs to essential services such as water, electricity, gas, or telecommunications up to this point.

Private Utility Locating

In contrast, private utility locating handles the infrastructure beyond the public utility meter. Once utilities reach the meter, they generally become the responsibility of the property owner. This includes any lines running from the meter to various buildings on the property, like homes or offices. Private companies or specialized services are hired by property owners to locate these utilities, ensuring safe and efficient property modifications or constructions without damaging any buried lines.

In summary, public utility services cover the range from the main line to the meter, managed by the utility providers. For the segments running from the meter to the structures on a property, private utility locating services are called upon to ensure all underground lines are accurately identified. This division of responsibilities helps safeguard both public and private property while maintaining the integrity of utility services.