Private Utility Locating vs. Public One-Call
Before digging, the free public one-call program marks utility-company lines — but it stops at the property and skips everything private. Understanding the gap is what keeps a dig (and the liability) safe.
Leaks.ca is the educational leak detection hub and service-support division of Leak.ca, helping BC property owners understand leak risks and connect with professional detection services when needed.
Free locate of utility-company lines up to the property.
Strengths
- Free and required before excavation
- Marks the utility companies' own lines
- A mandatory first step
Limitations
- Stops at the property — no private or on-site services
- Marks can be approximate
- Doesn't use GPR for non-metallic pipe
Professional locate of private and on-site buried services.
Strengths
- Finds private water, irrigation, gas, power and data
- Uses EM and GPR for metallic and non-metallic lines
- Verifies and supplements the one-call
Limitations
- A paid professional service
Do both. The public one-call is the required first step and marks the utility companies' lines; a private locate then finds the on-site services one-call doesn't cover and uses GPR for non-metallic pipe. A strike on a private line is on whoever dug — the private locate is what prevents it.
Frequently Asked
No. One-call marks only the utility companies' lines up to the property. Private and on-site services — irrigation, site lighting, gas to a shop, private water — aren't located by one-call and are the owner's responsibility. A private locate covers those and uses GPR for non-metallic pipe.
More Comparisons
Not sure which approach your situation needs?
A professional doesn't pick a tool in advance — they choose the right method once they understand your property and symptoms. Leaks.ca is the educational division — for booking and on-site detection across British Columbia, our service partner Leak.ca handles professional assessments.
Educational hub & service-support division of Leak.ca · Serving all of British Columbia · Since 1999