What Are Private Facilities
Private facilities are lines that were installed after the meter and are
considered customer-owned. Operators of underground facilities only
locate the buried facilities that they operate and/or maintain.
Water and sewer companies
locate main water lines in easements and rights-of-way and lines to a water
meter, but may not locate the water facilities from a meter to a home or sewer
laterals. Electric companies usually locate their lines to homes and businesses,
but not those running to swimming pool pumps and heaters, irrigation systems or
another building on the property.
Who is Responsible to Locate These Lines
JULIE member companies DO NOT locate privately installed facilities.
Private underground
facilities can be located by hiring a contract locator or keep a detailed
drawing of where you placed the private lines. See
Contract Locators for resources.
Examples of Private Facilities
Private facilities are found everywhere, including single family homes,
multi-family housing units, industrial areas, trailer parks, shopping centers
and sometimes in the road right of way. Examples of private facilities can
include:
- Natural gas or propane gas underground piping to a garage or an out building;
- Gas grills and pool heaters;
- Private water systems;
- Underground sprinkler systems;
- Customer-owned electric lines;
- Invisible fences; and
- Data communications lines.
Excavators and Private Facilities
A good excavator can also be a great detective. The excavator knows
that private facilities will be part of almost every job. If you are
conducting work for a home owner, be aware that the home owner may not know
that private facilities exist and therefore not be located. As an
excavator, take time to survey the work site and look for signs of private
facilities. Things to consider can be:
- Is there a propane storage tank on the property?
- Is there a detached garage or outbuilding with lighting?
- Is there a pool heater or gas grill? or
- Did you notice an underground sprinkler system?
Keep in mind that previous property owners may have installed lines and the current owners are unaware of their location.
Take a few moments to review these issues with the homeowner prior to beginning your excavation. By doing so, you protect the safety of yourself and your workers.
What To Do If You Suspect a Private Facility is
Present
Do not dig until the buried facilities are identified and marked.
When a property owner has any type of private underground facility
present, they are responsible to locate those facilities, or
contract someone for
this purpose. Make the homeowner aware of the situation and have
them resolve the issue prior to excavation.