Utility locate markings at an active work site

Private utility locating across Ontario

Public locates do not always cover privately owned services. GEO traces, marks and documents private utilities in the work area, with daylighting available when a critical crossing needs physical verification.

Request a private locate Public vs. private locates

GPR and EM line tracing
Field markings and locate drawings
Daylighting coordination

Why a private locate matters

A public locate may leave private utilities unmarked.

Ontario One Call sends the request to participating infrastructure owners. If a service is privately owned or begins beyond the demarcation point, arrange a private locate before work starts.

Swipe to inspect the full site diagram.

Typical examples only. Confirm ownership and the demarcation point for every utility and site.

GEO uses the right locating methods for utilities and site conditions.

We start with the available information and a site walk, then use the right locating methods for the services and conditions on site. If a utility must be physically confirmed, GEO can daylight it.

Private utility locating

Trace and mark privately owned services within the planned drilling or excavation area.

GPR surveying

Use ground-penetrating radar to help identify buried features that cannot be traced with an electromagnetic signal.

EM line tracing

Apply and follow a signal on conductive services to trace their route through the work area.

Field markings and locate drawings

Mark findings on site and record the located area, utility routes, structures, and field notes for the project team.

Vac verification

Expose a critical crossing with daylighting when drawings and surface markings are not enough.

Cross-bore prevention

Locate and verify buried services around planned or completed bore paths to help identify conflicts.

The handoff point varies by utility

Ownership can change at a point of entry, meter, transformer, valve, connection, or property boundary. Confirm the handoff point for each utility on the site.

Illustration showing public utility mains near a road and coloured private utility branches serving buildings and site equipment — One possible layout of public and private utilities on a site.

01

Communications
Telephone, data, security, and other communication lines may become private after the point of entry.
02

Gas
Services downstream of the meter are often private. Confirm ownership with the utility owner for the site.
03

Electrical
Secondary services after a transformer may feed buildings, lighting, signs, pumps, and equipment.
04

Water and sewer
Ownership may change at a valve, service connection, or property boundary, depending on the system.

GEO technician locating a buried utility beside a roadway

Private utilities in the work area

Private utilities can run between buildings, equipment, tanks, signs, lighting, and other parts of the site.

Electrical services: Power running from a transformer or main building to buildings, equipment, tanks, signs, lighting, and other parts of the site.
Gas services: Gas lines downstream of the ownership point that serve heaters, process equipment, tanks, or other buildings.
Water services: Internal water lines serving buildings, wash bays, equipment, hydrants, and other site connections.
Sewer and drainage: Sanitary, storm, and drainage networks running between buildings, catch basins, manholes, and property connections.
Communications: Telephone, data, security, camera, gate, and control lines crossing the property.
Process piping and irrigation: Buried piping for process equipment, gases, chemicals, irrigation, or reclaimed water.