Services Utility Designation

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.

Where are the utilities located?

Active methods are used for known utilities and involve selecting an EM frequency, inducing a signal directly in the line or indirectly in the ground around the line, and detecting the signal re-radiated by the utility.

Passive methods are used for unknown utilities and involve sweeping the area with a receiver looking for anything that radiates or re-radiates frequencies. Examples of our services include:

  • Designating Known Conductive & Non-Conductive Utilities. Knowing the location of underground utilities provides greater certainty when designing a new project. Also, when it is time for construction, clients can dig without worrying about damage that could carry a hefty price tag while also inconveniencing citizens and businesses.
  • Survey of All Designated Utilities. WithersRavenel has an extensive team of Professional Land Surveyors (PLS) and survey crews ready to assist our SUE team. Occasionally, drone technology can speed up utility designation mapping by enabling crews to collect designation markings over a large area quickly.
  • Deliverables in AutoCAD, MicroStation & ArcGIS. In coordination with the client, WithersRavenel provides SUE deliverables in the available format desired.

Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment, WithersRavenel can designate non-conductive utilities and structures such as asbestos concrete pipe (ACP), reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe, and underground storage tanks (USTs).

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