Utility Surveys

The Importance of Utility Surveys

October 2, 2024

Utility surveys help engineers and architects to understand the location and depth, when underground, of utility services before and during development of a site. From transmission lines that produce electricity to power stations, pipeline distribution routes for oil and gas networks and water distribution pipelines, our surveyors are highly experienced within each utility area. Covering a broad range of spectrums, our team of dedicated professionals have gained valuable experience across many different utility sectors.

What Are Utility Surveys?

Utility surveys are advanced procedures that are generally performed by surveyors to detect what is beneath the ground. These are often referred to as GPR surveys, but that refers to just one technique (ground penetrating radar).

Our surveyors follow all of the utility and service routes, including gas, water, telecommunications, electricity and drainage. These surveys are typically completed before projects, in order to ensure that there are no underlying problems and to accurately locate services and features that could potentially turn into risks and large-scale problems.

Explore More: Understanding the Basics of Utility Surveys

Utility Surveys at S2P

Over the course of 30 years, we have built up a wealth of experience and knowledge within the above ground utilities industry, from reservoir surveys to laser scanning and modelling of sub-stations within high-voltage electric system, and now offer below ground surveys as well.

As experienced utility surveyors, we now also offer comprehensive below ground surveys.

Importance of Utility Surveys

An underground utility survey is essential for several reasons, offering significant benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Here are the primary reasons why such a survey is important:

Safety

Striking a utility line can cause serious injuries or fatalities. Identifying the location of underground utilities such as gas lines, water pipes, and electrical cables helps prevent accidents during excavation or construction. Damaged gas or sewage pipes can lead to environmental contamination and health hazards so it’s crucial to be in a position to avoid dangerous mishaps. This also prevents accidental contamination of water supplies and surrounding land.

Cost Savings

Repairing damaged utilities are extremely costly. By knowing where these utilities are located, project planners are able to avoid unnecessary damage and the associated repair costs. An underground utility survey helps keep projects on schedule by preventing such incidents. Hitting an unmarked utility line can cause significant project delays, which means using up more time and more resources to fix in order to finish the extra work.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Many regions have laws and regulations that require utility surveys before any digging or construction. To avoid any potential penalties, all construction work will need to have the relevant surveys done before carrying out work to prove that full due diligence is completed.

Efficient Planning and Design

Knowing the precise location of underground utilities allows engineers and planners to design projects that account for existing infrastructure, optimising the use of space and resources. With a clear understanding of underground utilities, project managers can more accurately budget for potential utility relocation or protection costs.

Enhanced Communication

An underground utility survey provides detailed documentation of existing utilities, which can be shared among contractors, engineers, and stakeholders to ensure everyone is informed. Surveys help facilitate better communication and coordination with utility companies, ensuring that any necessary utility relocations or protections are managed effectively.

Property Value and Management

For property buyers, knowing the location of underground utilities can be a critical factor in the decision-making process. Property owners and managers benefit from knowing the location of utilities for future maintenance, renovations, or landscaping projects.

How to Choose a Reputable Utility Survey Provider?

Selecting a trustworthy utility survey supplier entail investigating their experience, comprehending their surveys’ deliverables, and evaluating how well they can accurately and efficiently fulfil project needs.

Experience & Equipment

When choosing a utility survey provider, consider their experience and credentials. Providers with a wealth of industry knowledge are more likely to manage challenging surveying tasks successfully. To ensure precise underground utility discovery, look for skilled surveyors using cutting-edge techniques like penetrating radar (GPR) and other non-intrusive approaches.

Additionally, reputation is crucial. Look for case studies, evaluations, and endorsements from customers. A utility surveyor’s reliability may be determined by their capability to offer precise and complete references. Furthermore, ensure the team consists of experts with the newest equipment and technology to improve the accuracy of the surveys.

Understanding Survey Deliverables and Reports

A reputable utility survey provider should offer clear, comprehensive survey deliverables. Deliverables ought to contain data in digital (CAD), PDF, and, if necessary, 3D model forms. This guarantees compliance with the requirements of your project. Please request a sample report from each supplier before choosing one so you can assess the level of detail and clarity in their reports.

Survey reports should include high-resolution photos or maps, an overview of the utilities found, and a summary of the results. Because they are organized, combining the information with other project materials should be simple. You also need to be aware of the deadline for deliverables to keep your project timeline on track.

Book your free consultation to discover the difference we can make for your project.