Private Utility Locating
The locators that show up when calling Digsafe only locate and mark the utilities owned by the utility companies. This means that if you're digging in your back yard and need your shed or out building's power located, you'll be out of luck.
Where those locators stop marking is called the "demarcation' point. For electric it's the electric meter, for water it's normally your street curb stop, Cable and phone is the cable box and NID box respectively. So if you have these demarcation points out by the street or on a pole and NOT on your house; what's buried to your house or business is your responsibility.
I'm able to locate these privately owned utilities by inducing a specific signal on the metallic conduit so that you aren't digging blind putting not only these utilities at risk but yourself as well.
In the case of plastic/PVC water or well lines I do have the capability, in conjunction with your water company and plumber, to feed a snake through your service out towards the street and inducing a signal on the metallic snake itself.
Similarly, for sewer lines, I have separate metallic sewer rods to feed through your service cleanouts in order to trace and locate your septic/sewer pipes.
Working with the water company to locate a water main.
Water Leak Detection
Leak detection is important for a multitude of factors. Leaks mean your well pump(s) are running more often which reduces their life. It means an increased risk of harmful bacteria entering your water system. It means lower static levels in your well(s) which not only means the possibility of issuing water restrictions for your customers, but the possibility of your wells running dry.
If you're an operator of a water system or an association, I offer full leak detection surveys using state of the art ground microphones. The survey will consist of getting the approximate gallons per day/gallons per minute leakage as well as any water system maps that are available from the client. The more information I have going into a survey means less time looking for and digging up curb stops and more time listening for leaks.
The process starts with listening to each known and found system valve and service curbstops. Any loud spots are potential leaks and will be noted, staked and/or painted. If nothing is found on the initial survey, I will then walk the water main listening to the ground every 5 feet using a probe if necessary.
Leaks can be tricky and aren't always eager to be made known. Success largely depends on leak size, leak type, as well as the underground discharge point. For example, leaks spraying into an underwater cavern of it's own making are notoriously difficult to hear.
If this is the case, I will suggest working with your operator or a company to put compressed air to the lines. Sometimes this will force a leak to the surface but for my purposes, forces sound through the leak so that my equipment can detect it.
Listened and found a leak in water service offset in Moultonborough(White circle was loudest point).
Utility Mapping
If you are an association, water operator or water system owner, you'll know that New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services are working towards digitizing water system mapping.
As an added service, either separately or through my leak detection surveys, I can GPS locate each water valve in your system to comply with what may be a regulatory requirement in the near future. Furthermore, having this information at you or your operator's fingertips is invaluable.
I can do the same for all utility facility structures including underground transformers, cable and phone boxes, gas boxes, propane tanks, etc.. whatever you'd like!
I will GPS locate each item and map it to a .KMZ file for google maps/Earth. I will then turn over the completed file to your association. Any updates or additions you'd like to add in the future I will more than happily do for you.
Water system map showing water main, offsets, isolation valves and blowoffs.
Custom Projects
If you're a homeowner and just need to locate your property pins, buried wellhead or would like to know where your water shut off is, I can help.
If you're an association or contractor and you need a little bit of everything done; utility line locating, GPS mapping, Leak Detection, I have no problem working with you or your operators to make sure you get all the information you need.
