SUE and Utility Locating - What's the Difference

Subsurface utility engineering and utility locating: what’s the difference? 

The Training Standards Committee (TSC) consists of members from all different stakeholder groups–two of these groups include utility engineers and line locators. Both subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and utility locating practices may appear to be similar, but each serves a different purpose. In reality, both may use electro-magnetic (EM) locating equipment to identify the location of underground utilities, but the similarities generally end there. Here’s how each practice is different. 

What is subsurface utility engineering (SUE)?

SUE is the practice of using EM locators, or a variety of other geophysical technologies, to determine the location of known utilities and unknown conductive signals. During a SUE investigation, the information collected in the field is surveyed and integrated using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software onto a utility mapping drawing. This process was formalized with the creation of ASCE 38-02 – the Standard Guideline for Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data. This standard promotes the use of field investigations, records research to determine the accurate location of underground infrastructure, and provides a process to identify the quality of the results. 

SUE investigations are valuable and help engineers understand the risks associated with the buried utilities that affect their projects.

What is utility locating?

Utility locating has been around since infrastructure has been buried. Originally, utility locates were primarily a survey function and did not have a great deal to do with infrastructure protection, but a large push has taken place to have buried utilities located to prevent damage. In the United States, one-call notification services are a government-mandated requirement prior to any excavation and are governed by municipal bylaws. In Canada, Ontario is so far the only province to pass comprehensive damage prevention legislation mandating a locate request to Ontario 1 Call prior to excavation. Realizing similar legislation in other provinces across Canada remains a goal.

Utility locating allows excavators to understand the location of the known underground utilities in the field, which is a necessity for safe excavation.

So what’s the difference?

SUE is a valuable tool for any engineer to manage utility risks on their project, while utility locating is primarily focused on public safety and damage prevention prior to and during construction. Although their purposes and executions are different, both practices provide valuable information. Together, SUE and utility locating are an effective one-two punch that can be used to ensure a project’s overall success.

If you have any interest in learning more about either of these practices, or to participate and help educate on damage prevention practices in general, reach out to TSCAdmin@albertaonecall.com for more information.

Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association