Definitions of Private Facilities

 

Please read the following to get a better understanding of private underground facilities in your excavation area.

What are private electric underground facilities?

Private underground facilities, or customer-owned facilities, are those facilities that were installed behind or after the meter. Also, if overhead distribution lines serve the property and the power is then distributed on the property by underground service facilities, those service facilities may be considered private. If the homeowner's electric meter is located on the property line, then that electric line from the meter to the house is considered privately owned and will not be located.

Where are private facilities found?

Private facilities are found everywhere, including single family homes, multi-family housing units, industrial areas, trailer parks, shopping centers and sometimes in the road right of way. Other private facilities can include: natural gas farm taps, natural gas or propane gas underground piping to buildings, gas grills and pool heaters, private water systems, data communication lines, underground sprinkler systems, invisible fences and many others. Unless the property owner participates as a member of Gopher State One Call, private or customer-owned facilities will not be marked or notified. If you have a question on whether a facility in your excavation area is considered private or not,please contact that local utility office.

Whose responsibility is it to locate private facilities?

When a property owner or tenant has any type of private underground facility, they are responsible to locate those facilities, or hire someone to locate them. Please visit the private locators section for a list of private locators in your area. Remember that these locators will locate the lines for a fee. This list is by no means an exhaustive list or a list of locators recommended by GSOC. For additional locators, consult the Yellow Pages under "Utilities Underground - Locating."

If I am an excavator, how do I educate the homeowner about private facilities?

The homeowner may not be aware that these facilities will go un-located if they just phone in a locate request to GSOC. As the excavator, it is necessary to be aware of the work site. Where is the meter box? Is there a propane storage tank? This can be aboveground or underground with underground supply piping to the building. Is there a detached garage or outbuilding with lighting? Is there a pool heater or gas grill? How about underground sprinkling system or underground wires to keep the family pet within the property?  Reviewing our online demonstration may also be helpful.

Also remember that previous property owners may have installed lines. Take a few minutes and review these items with the homeowner prior to beginning excavation.

If you have additional questions about private facilities, please email your questions to our help desk.