Why Using a Certified Underground Service Locator Is Essential Before You Dig

Vacsafe
Jan 15
4 min read

Why Using a Certified Underground Service Locator Matters More Than Ever

Excavation—no matter how small—always carries risk. Whether you are installing a fence on a residential property or delivering a large-scale civil project, underground services present one of the most significant hazards on any site. Striking water, sewer, electricity, gas, or communications infrastructure can result in serious injury, service outages, environmental harm, and substantial financial cost.

This is why engaging a certified underground service locator is not just best practice—it is essential.

At Vacsafe, we provide professional service locating backed by nationally recognised certification, practical field experience, and non-destructive digging (NDD) to positively identify services and confirm depths before works proceed.

What Is an Underground Service Locator?

An underground service locator is a trained professional who identifies the location of buried services prior to excavation. These services may include:

Water mains and private water services
Sewer and stormwater infrastructure
Electricity (low voltage and high voltage)
Gas pipelines
NBN, Telstra, and communications assets

Unlike plans or assumptions, service locating uses specialised equipment, field techniques, and professional judgement to determine where services actually exist in the ground.

Why “Dial Before You Dig” Is Only the First Step

Most people are familiar with Dial Before You Dig, and it is an important starting point. However, DBYD plans are indicative only. They often show approximate alignments, legacy information, or incomplete records.

What DBYD does not do:

Confirm the exact horizontal position of services
Confirm depth
Identify undocumented or private services
Account for deviations, repairs, or site-specific changes

This is where a qualified service locator becomes critical.

The Importance of a CERTLOC Approved Service Locator

Not all locators are equal. CERTLOC is Australia’s nationally recognised certification scheme for utility locating. A CERTLOC approved service locator has been independently assessed against strict competency standards, ensuring they can locate services accurately, safely, and consistently.

Vacsafe is a CERTLOC Certified Service Locating Organisation, and our locating works are undertaken by Mark, our dedicated CERTLOC approved service locator.

This means our clients can be confident that:

Locating is performed by a qualified professional
Industry standards are followed
Results are suitable for civil, council, and commercial documentation
Risk to people, assets, and projects is reduced

Why Certification Matters on Real Sites

Service locating is not theoretical—it happens in complex, live environments. Certification ensures the locator can:

Interpret conflicting plans
Select appropriate locating methods
Understand limitations of equipment
Communicate risk clearly to clients and contractors

In short, certification protects everyone involved.

Our Service Locating Process at Vacsafe

Our approach mirrors the format that has resonated strongly with your audience—clear, practical, and educational.

Step 1: Information Review

We begin by reviewing available plans, Dial Before You Dig responses, and any site-specific information provided by the client.

Step 2: On-Site Service Locating

Mark attends site and conducts service locating using industry-approved methods to identify underground services, including water, sewer, electricity, gas, and communications.

Services are marked clearly on the ground, and where required, locations are documented for reporting.

Step 3: Positive Identification Using Non-Destructive Digging

Where depth confirmation or visual verification is required, Vacsafe uses non-destructive digging trucks to positively identify services.

This step is critical:

Plans and locating equipment indicate position
NDD confirms exact depth and alignment
Excavation proceeds with confidence

This combination of locating and NDD significantly reduces the risk of service strikes.

Residential Property Owners: This Is Not Just for Big Jobs

Many people assume service locating is only required for major projects. In reality, we regularly assist private property owners with:

Fence installations
Retaining walls
Post holes
Driveways
Garden structures
Septic and drainage works

Underground services do not stop at the property boundary. Water, sewer, power, and communications often cross residential blocks in unexpected ways. A single post hole can be enough to cause damage.

Engaging a certified underground service locator provides peace of mind and avoids costly mistakes.

Experience Across Civil, Council, and Infrastructure Projects

In addition to residential works, Vacsafe has extensive experience supporting:

Large civil construction projects
Council works along footpaths, reserves, and road corridors
Infrastructure upgrades
Pathway and streetscape developments
Asset investigations and service exposure

Our service locating supports safe excavation in live environments where accuracy, documentation, and compliance are essential.

Why Positive Identification Is Critical

Locating alone identifies where a service may be. Positive identification confirms where it actually is, at what depth, and in what condition.

This is particularly important when:

Multiple services are present
Services run close together
Heavy machinery is involved
Works occur near public infrastructure

By combining a CERTLOC approved service locator with non-destructive digging, Vacsafe provides a complete, defensible solution.

Locate First. Dig With Confidence.

Whether you are a homeowner, contractor, or council, engaging a certified service locator is one of the most important steps before excavation.

Vacsafe provides:

CERTLOC certified service locating
Underground service locating across NSW
Positive identification using NDD
Support for residential, civil, and council projects

If you are planning to dig—no matter how small—locate first.