What is a locate?

Private locates vs One-Call locates

One Call Locate

• In many regions, you are legally required to contact your local One Call service before breaking ground.
  
  

• This service arranges for utility companies to mark the location of publicly owned utilities, such as gas, water, sewer, electric, and telecommunications lines that run up to the service connection point (usually the property line).
  
  

• This service is provided free of charge.
  
  

Private Locate

• One Call does not cover utilities that are privately owned and located beyond the service connection point, typically within private property.
  
  

• Examples include:
  
  

  • Power lines from a home or building to an outbuilding or detached garage
    
    

  • Private water or sewer laterals
    
    

  • Propane or natural gas lines on private land
    
    

  • Underground lighting or other private service lines
    
    

• These require a private locator to accurately detect and mark them.
  
  

In summary: One Call identifies the public utilities leading to your property, while a Private Locate ensures that everything within your property boundaries is properly marked — preventing costly damages, delays, and safety risks.

• Private utilities are typically marked with pink paint but can be marked by standard utility colors.