What Is A Utility Survey and Why Are They So Important?

December 20, 2023 Peter Merrett Laser Scanning

Utility surveys help engineers and architects to understand the location and depth, when underground, of utility services before and during development of a site. From transmission lines that produce electricity to power stations, pipeline distribution routes for oil and gas networks and water distribution pipelines, our surveyors are highly experienced within each utility area. Covering a broad range of spectrums, our team of dedicated professionals have gained valuable experience across many different utility sectors.

What Are Utility Surveys?

Utility surveys are advanced procedures that are generally performed by surveyors to detect what is beneath the ground. These are often referred to as GPR surveys, but that refers to just one technique (ground penetrating radar). Our surveyors follow all of the utility and service routes, including gas, water, telecommunications, electricity and drainage. These surveys are typically completed before projects, in order to ensure that there are no underlying problems and to accurately locate services and features that could potentially turn into risks and large-scale problems.

Utility Surveys at Merrett Survey

Over the course of forty years, we have built up a wealth of experience and knowledge within the above ground utilities industry, from reservoir surveys to laser scanning and modelling of sub-stations within high-voltage electric system, and now offer below ground surveys as well.

Due to our utility survey success, we have built up a large portfolio of clients who approach us for utility industry surveys. Some of our clients within the water industry have included:

Southern Water
South West Water
South Trent Water
Thames Water

What Are The Advantages of Utility Surveys?

Advanced technology, such as laser scanning, is used when our team at Merrett Survey conduct important utility surveys. The extreme accuracy and precision that this presents means that there are endless benefits, including:

The ability to identify all types of underground pipes, cables and drains
Highly-accurate data
Prevents delays further into construction
Avoids costly delays
Ensures the safety of construction workers

The detection of utility surveys can be an extremely beneficial procedure before a building project, as these environmental constraints need to be considered and carefully factored into before the project starts.

Why Is It Important For Utility Surveys To Be Conducted Effectively?

Utility surveys must be conducted as efficiently and proactively as possible, which is why our experienced team at Merrett Survey are specialists in this area.

Non-Intrusive

Does not require land to be dug up, as it uses non-intrusive methods to cause as little disruption and damage as possible.

Cost-Effective

Reduce the long-term cost of your project.
Failing to identify the locations of buried services before a project commences results in increased project costs, at a much higher cost by the time the project is completed.

Time Efficient

The surveys can last between a few hours to a few days, depending on the specific requirements of your project.
Saves time overall by the team being able to work without any issues.

Increased Health and Safety

If not conducted, it can result in serious health and safety implications.

Future Monitoring

The data and information gathered from utility surveys and recording where new utilities are installed creates an invaluable tool for future work on the site.

Contact Us To Discuss Your Utility Surveys Project

At Merrett Survey, we have experienced surveyors that offer many utility services for land and aerial development projects. Enquire now to see how we can aid the development of your utility project.