UTILITY LOCATING

Subsurface utility engineering (SUE) manages the risks associated with underground utilities. Using a variety of non-destructive geophysical investigating techniques our surveyors verify the existence, condition, and location of underground utilities. Armed with that information, designers can plan projects that minimally impact utilities. Contractors can improve productivity and create safer job sites. And studies have shown that clients can save nearly $5 in construction costs for every $1 invested in SUE.

NorthStar provides all four SUE quality levels:

• Quality Level D – Relies on information gathered solely from existing utility records.

• Quality Level C – Involves surveying visible, above-ground utility facilities and correlating this information with existing utility records.

• Quality Level B – Uses surface geophysical techniques to determine the existence and horizontal position of underground utilities.

• Quality Level A – Employs nondestructive digging equipment at critical points to determine the precise horizontal and vertical position, as well as size and type, of underground utilities.

In addition to subsurface utility surveying, NorthStar offers data collection, data processing, and map development.