The Importance of Colors of Underground Utility Lines

It is now easier to know what an underground utility line is for. Before, it was difficult to do so and people were at risk if they try to make a dig without being able to identify all the lines underneath the land. Although not completely eliminated, risks today have been reduced. If there is a need to dig the ground, it is very important that the utility lines first be identified. Before digging through a certain piece of land, the OSHA requires that the underground utilities be located. It is to prevent disaster. The worst thing that can happen if lines are not identified is that fatal injuries can happen. Services in the area where the lines are located can experience interruption. People can call 811 to prevent these incidents, before they proceed with digging their property. When the number is called, you can let the utility companies come out and mark their respective lines.

Sometimes, even if the lines are marked accidents still happen. Utility lines are struck every 6 minutes, some place. Traffic lights, wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines, etc. are affected when lines are struck. Public heath and safety is affected when this happens.

GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar is used by companies to locate their utility lines. With this machine, companies can easily locate utility lines. Calling 811 is enough for the property owner to let companies located their lines.

It is easier to identify underground utility lines today because they now use different colors for each utility. Here are the colors used for different utilities.

White lines are for proposed excavation sites. You can mark areas with white lines that will soon be excavated.

If you see pink lines, they are temporary survey markings. Surveyors use pink lines to mark off legal property boundaries.

Red lines are used to mark electric power lines, cable, conduit, and lighting cable. The color red is associated with fire and danger so it is just appropriate to use it for electrical works.

Lines for gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials use the color yellow. Natural gas leaks can create potentially disastrous situations and this is why it is appropriate to use the bright yellow color.

Orange lines are used for communication, alarm, signal lines, cable or conduit. Blue lines are used for potable water. If you see purple lines, that this is for reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines. Green lines are used for sewer and drain lines. Hitting this line can truly derail any project for a long period of time.

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