Imagine a water pipe or private cable line that’s sealed off, underground. Yet no one knows about it — until excavation, that is. There’s a reason for the “Call Before You Dig” initiative; calling 811 is a certainly a start, but for large, complex projects, taking your due diligence to the next level beyond one call ensures your location is clear and safe of both public and private lines. Approximately 65% of all underground utilities are private and not covered by 811. Subsurface utility engineering (SUE) helps you discover potential obstacles ahead of time.

The SUE group at RETTEW has broad experience providing utility locating services to many industries, including upstream and midstream natural gas companies, local governments, and commercial and industrial clients, as well as higher education campuses. We’re equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology: robotic cameras, optical imaging, ground penetrating radar (GPR), GIS mapping, and other methods help us uncover utilities so you can plan around them.

Thank you for your efforts on a waterline locating project; RETTEW didn’t cut any corners. That persistence and commitment is what we need. – Matt Hanley, CONSOL Energy, Inc.

Proactive investment in subsurface utility investigations prevents delays; change orders can lead to increased construction costs and stretched timelines. Being diligent with subsurface utility location also decreases risk of accidents or damage from line strikes. In many cases, completing subsurface utility investigations prior to construction keeps your project in compliance.

Keep your job site safe and your projects on-schedule and on-budget with proper vetting of your facilities and assets through subsurface utility engineering.

SUE Analysis Request Form

Subsurface Utility Engineering Specialties:

Utility Design Services

  • Electromagnetic (EM) Locating
  • Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
  • Interior Locating (Walls/Foundations)
  • Locate Underground Storage Tanks, Non-Metallic and Abandoned Lines
  • Locate Water, Sewer, Electric, Fiber, Telecom and Gas Services
  • Metal Detection Surveys (EM-61)
  • Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE): Quality Levels A, B, C, and D
  • Vacuum Excavation (Air/Hydro) Services

Scanning, Inspection, and Mapping

  • CCTV Push and Crawler/Robotic Camera
  • Cross Bore Investigations (Sewer/Gas)
  • GPS/GNSS Surveying
  • Interior Locating (Walls/Foundations)
  • Concrete Scanning
  • Rebar Grid Patterns
  • Post-Tension Cables
  • Sewer and Drain Integrity Assessment
  • Utility Mapping (GIS/CAD)

811 Program Management

  • 811 Ticket Management/Field Locate
  • Damage Investigations
  • 811 Program Development, Evaluation, and Staff Training
  • Veriforce Training and Certification

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