Services Subsurface Utility Engineering

Finding unexpected utilities on a project site can be costly—and dangerous. WithersRavenel uses active and passive subsurface utility engineering techniques to reveal underground infrastructure before it has a chance to derail a project.

Using electromagnetic (EM) equipment and active or passive methods, WithersRavenel can designate conductive utilities such as copper telephone wire, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, metallic water, and sewer line, and gas line.

Active methods are used for known utilities; passive methods are used for unknown utilities. Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment, WithersRavenel can designate non-conductive utilities and structures such as asbestos concrete, PVC, RCP, and USTs.

WithersRavenel also has the capability to perform vacuum excavation on critical utilities. Vacuum excavation provides verification of the size, depth, and material of specific utilities, along with accurate horizontal and vertical locations.

a worker and a vacuum truck

Our Services

Below are some of our most popular SUE service offerings:

WithersRavenel has in-house capabilities to locate and designate subsurface utilities in service levels D, C, B, and A.

  • Quality Level D involves research of utility databases, interviews, and collection of as-built information from utility owners.
  • Quality Level C involves survey and visual inventory of above-ground features associated with utilities to assess the general accuracy and completeness of the information obtained in Quality Level D.
  • Quality Level B is executed using both single-frequency and multi-frequency electromagnetic equipment that designates conductive utilities.
  • Quality Level A or vacuum excavation is performed using a VacMasters System 1000, which uses high-pressured air and suction to safely uncover target utilities. Information derived from vacuum excavation can assist the determination of the impacts and costs of the alternative routes to existing utility infrastructure.

Case Study

  • Client
    Town of Kernersville, NC
  • Project Location
    Kernersville, NC

Located off Main Street in the Town of Kernersville, St. Paul’s Cemetery is a historic site that pre-dates the American Civil War. It served Kernersville’s African-American community, and it contains the graves of enslaved and free blacks....

View Project Details

What our clients are saying

This project has been near and dear to town leadership and the entire community from the beginning. WithersRavenel understood our vision for placemaking here in Holly Springs, and they've come through for us at every stage of the project. We're grateful for their expertise and professionalism.

Len Bradley Town of Holly Springs

Experience the Difference

Let us help you navigate your project journey.

Let's Chat