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Ground Scan NZ are experts in Utility Location, GIS and Subsurface Mapping, Leak Detection and Irrigation Network Mapping. We have been delighted to work with some of the best architects, surveyors, builders, property owners, contractors and utilities companies in the sector, across the greater Waikato and further afield. Our passionate and professional technicians have extensive experience in all things underground, and we’re ready to assist where and when you need us.
Below is a compilation of answers to some of the questions we are commonly asked. We are constantly updating this resource, but if you have a question that isn’t covered below, please let us know so that we can add it for the next person. As always, if underground Utility Location forms a critical part of your project, give us a call and we’ll get that sorted for you. We’re your local experts in Utility Location Services!
Utility Locating (aka Utility Location) is the process of finding, identifying and marking underground pipes and cables, collectively known as utilities, including telecommunications, electricity, gas, fiber optics, potable water, sewer, stormwater and a number of other buried services.
Understanding what lay beneath the surface is a critical step in any project that involves breaking ground. Utility Location Services help to reduce the potential damage that can be caused by hitting buried services, both in financial terms and in risk of harm to workers and the general public. Accurate underground mapping not only drastically reduces the potential exposure to dangerous electric wires and waste-water pipes, but it allows for faster excavations where pipes or cables need to be repaired or replaced.
For more details check out our ‘Benefits of Utility Location Services’ article.
EMI (Electromagnetic Induction) is a method of locating buried pipes, cables, storm-water and sewer pipelines. The technology has a large number of advantages, including the ability to locate underground assets relatively quickly and without disturbing the ground.
Its main shortcoming is that it will not locate non-metallic lines such as plastic pipes. However, when utilities companies take the time to lay tracer wires with their plastic pipes we can then locate them using this technology.
For more details check out our Utility Location Services page.
GPR (Ground Pentrating Radar) is a utility location technology that uses radio waves to detect and capture images below the surface of the ground in a minimally invasive way. The huge advantage of GPR is that it allows our technicians to accurately pinpoint the location of underground utilities without disturbing the ground.
For more details check out our 3D Subsurface Mapping page.
Its main shortcoming is that it will not locate non-metallic lines such as plastic pipes. However, when utilities companies take the time to lay tracer wires with their plastic pipes we can then locate them using this technology.
For more details check out our Utility Location Services page.
Yes! Our experienced technicians will not only find the water leak, but will repair the line for you as well. Job done!
See our Water Leak Detection page for more details.
Absolutely! We have the resources and crew to reach you all the way over the hill, and where possible, we’ll group jobs together by region in order to keep costs down. Contact Us to discuss your project needs.
See our Water Leak Detection page for more details.
Sorry no, but we highly recommend the awesome team at Utility Scan. They are experts in Utility Locating, just like us, and they’re Taranaki locals. If you have an underground service project in the ‘Naki’ – give them a call!
See our Water Leak Detection page for more details.
While there is currently no legal colour code requirements for buried utility surface markings here in NZ, a general convention is used and encouraged by Worksafe as follows:
| Utility | Surface Marking Colour | Surface Marking Letter |
| Electricity | Orange | E |
| Gas | Yellow | G |
| Water | Blue | W |
| Telecoms (inc Fiber) | Purple | T or F |
| Waste Water / Sewer | Red | SS |
| Storm Water / Drainage | Pink | SW |
Here at Ground Scan NZ we also use White paint for general markings such as property/survey boundaries, excavation guides or for marking utilities found before they have been positively identified.
If you have any questions about any surface markings on your property or job site please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
A Build-Over Survey is the process of investigating and marking out underground assets, pipes and cables – specifically those beneath or in close proximity to future work areas – so that they are not damaged during construction. The outcome or ‘deliverable’ of a Build-Over survey is usually provided in the form of an ‘As-Built’ Plan.
A Build-Over Survey is the process of investigating and marking out underground assets, pipes and cables – specifically those beneath or in close proximity to future work areas – so that they are not damaged during construction. The outcome or ‘deliverable’ of a Build-Over survey is usually provided in the form of an ‘As-Built’ Plan.
