Why is it Important to Mark Public Utilities?

There are several important reasons to mark (or “locate”) public utilities before installing a fence, especially when digging for fence posts.

Here are the key reasons:

1. Safety

• Prevent injury or worse: Many utility lines (gas, electric, etc.) run underground. If you hit a gas line or live electrical cable, it can be really dangerous, like potentially causing explosion, electrocution, or serious injury dangerous

• Avoid service disruption: Damaging a utility line can knock out service (power, water, internet) not just for you, but for your neighbors too.

  
  

2. Legal Compliance

• It’s often required by law: Many places require you to call a “one-call” system (like dialing 811 in the U.S.) before you dig.

• Liability: If you damage a utility and you didn’t call for locates, you could be held responsible financially for repairs, fines, or cleanup.

  
  

3. Prevent Costly Mistakes

• Repair costs: Fixing a damaged utility line can be very expensive.

• Project delays: If you hit a utility, work usually stops while you assess, repair, and re-engineer how to proceed safely. That can throw off your schedule and budget.

4. Efficiency / Planning

• Better layout decisions: Knowing where utilities are helps you plan your fence to avoid conflict zones. For example, you might avoid placing a post right above a shallow gas line, or you can plan to hand-dig in “sensitive” areas to reduce risk.

• Tolerance zones: Once utilities are marked, there’s a “tolerance zone” around the line (often a few feet on either side) where you need to dig more carefully, usually by hand, to avoid damage.

  
  

5. Protecting Public Infrastructure

• Service continuity: Damaging public utilities can lead to outages, which affect not just you, but the broader community.

• Environmental risk: Some utilities (like gas or sewage) pose environmental hazards if ruptured. A failure could lead to leaks or contamination.

6. Industry Best Practice

• Professionals who install fences generally always check for utilities first. For instance, utility-locating services note that before a fence installation, it’s standard to call 811 (or your local one-call) then have all lines marked, including private ones if needed.

• This isn’t just about avoiding accidents, it’s part of responsible contracting and construction practice.

  
  

7. Changing Ground Conditions

• Over time, ground conditions can change (erosion, shifting soil, root systems, previous excavation) such that utility lines may move slightly or their depth may change. Even if an area was dug before, you can’t assume the old markings are still valid.

• Because of that, many “call before you dig” programs recommend re-calling and re-marking if you’re doing new work, even in a previously marked area.

  
  

Summary

Marking public utilities before installing a fence helps protect your safety, avoid legal trouble, save money, and ensure the project goes smoothly. It’s a fairly simple step (often free) that dramatically reduces risk.