Utility locators use a variety of equipment to perform their job. Locators decide which tools to use based on both the type of work being done and the kind of utility they are trying to locate. Reliable locating technologies keep excavation crews and communities safe from hazardous utility strikes. 

Utility locating is a necessary service that keeps utilities operational, construction sites efficient, and communities safe. Effective locating requires the cooperation of locators, utilities, diggers (including homeowners, construction crews and contractors), and 811 operators to function correctly.

Utility locating is the process of finding and marking utility assets, such as sewer and gas lines, that are buried underground. Utility locates protect the public from disasters such as gas line explosions or electrocution, which can occur if excavators strike a buried utility. Failure to locate underground assets before any digging project can have serious, even life-threatening consequences. Utility locating services also limit disruptions like power outages, boil-water advisories and evacuations; minimize construction delays; and significantly reduce the possibility of bodily harm occurring on worksites. 

Utility locating is more complicated in urban, highly-populated areas where underground utilities are more dense. The population of metropolitan areas in the U.S. increased 9% between 2010 and 2020. However, less than half of all U.S. counties gained population during this period--which means, in general terms, more people are living in denser areas.

These trends suggest that demand for utility locating will only grow, and that locating itself will become a more and more difficult but essential task as time goes on. To meet the country’s changing needs, wastewater, construction and utilities professionals need to invest in understanding and expanding utility locating services.