Underground Utility Locating Melbourne:
Digging Soon?
Call 0413 522 220 · CertLoc certified, 40+ years
About to dig and not sure what is buried underneath?
Yes, buried pipes, cables and conduits in Melbourne can be found and marked before you dig, so nothing gets hit.
Call 0413 522 220 and talk it through. You get the options and an honest opinion. Drilling into a slab instead? Concrete Scanning shows what is inside it.
What is underground utility locating?
Underground utility locating is finding and marking buried services, such as gas, water, power, telecommunications, sewer and stormwater, before excavation, so nobody hits a live service while digging.
Hitting a gas main, power cable or water pipe is dangerous, expensive and causes serious delays. Drain Solutions is a CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation providing utility locating across Melbourne for homes, commercial sites, civil works and councils. We are Telstra and Optus authorised and registered with Before You Dig Australia (BYDA).
Based in Kew East, Drain Solutions has worked with Melbourne's underground infrastructure for over 40 years, from homeowners putting in a pool in Hawthorn to major works at Melbourne Park. BPC Licence No. 21741. Call 0413 522 220.
Why does CertLoc certification matter?
CertLoc certification shows a locator has met national standards for competency, equipment and safety, and only CertLoc Certified Locators are legally authorised to access Telstra and Optus underground networks.
CertLoc is the national certification body for underground utility locating in Australia. Every CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) employs at least one CertLoc Certified Locator. Not every locator in Melbourne holds it, and without CertLoc CLO status a locator cannot legally access Telstra or Optus underground assets: copper networks, optic fibre conduits and pits. If your project is near telecommunications infrastructure, such as copper cable, optic fibre or pits, you need a certified locator. Certification also matters on heritage sites, government-owned assets and high-risk excavation near critical services. Drain Solutions is listed on the CertLoc national directory of Certified Locating Organisations.
- CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation (CLO)
- Telstra and Optus authorised for copper and optic fibre networks
- BYDA (Before You Dig Australia) registered
- NULCA member (National Utility Locating Contractors Association)
- Work carried out in line with AS 5488.1:2022, Classification of Subsurface Utility Information
Are Before You Dig plans enough before digging?
No. Before You Dig Australia plans show what asset owners have on record, but services are often missing, mapped in the wrong place or moved, so a physical locate is the only way to know what is really there.
BYDA plans are an essential starting point, and you should always request them and have printed copies on site. A physical locate with certified equipment then confirms the actual position and depth of each service at your dig site. Drain Solutions always recommends both, and can obtain, print and collate the BYDA plans for you.
How does Drain Solutions locate underground services?
Drain Solutions uses ground penetrating radar for non-metallic services, radio frequency locators for metal pipes and cables, and trace rods and sondes for conduits and drains, then marks everything on the ground.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
GPR sends a signal into the ground and detects objects that reflect it, including PVC pipes, fibre conduits, concrete structures, voids and undocumented installations that standard locators cannot find, depending on soil conditions. It is also useful where plans are out of date or several layers of services have been installed over time. We use it before pools, sheds and extensions, on commercial sites, on civil projects that need a full subsurface map before earthworks, and for concrete scanning before drilling or cutting slabs.
Radio frequency pipe and cable locators
For gas mains, electrical cables, fire hydrant mains, water mains and steel pipes, our SPX Radiodetection locators trace an electromagnetic signal along the metal, giving accurate alignment and depth. Multi-frequency capability handles crowded corridors where many services run close together.
Trace rods and sondes
For PVC conduits, empty ducts and fibre conduits with no trace wire, we push a fibreglass trace rod through to carry the signal, and use a sonde to find the tip in a blocked or broken conduit. Our CCTV drain cameras have built-in sondes, so we can trace a whole drain run underground and confirm its alignment and depth.
When a CCTV drain inspection finds a collapse or failed joint that needs digging up, the sonde marks the exact spot on the surface. The excavation is then targeted to that point, which keeps drain repairs precise rather than exploratory.
Ground marking and written report
All located services are marked on the ground with colour-coded paint to AS 5488, so your excavation team knows exactly where to dig and where not to. You receive a written report with supporting photos of the services found, their approximate alignment and depth, and any site limitations. This record is useful for future works on the same property.
How accurate is a utility locate?
AS 5488 sets four quality levels for underground service information. Quality Level D is plans only, with no spatial accuracy. Quality Level C adds visible surface features checked against the plans. Quality Level B is electronic tracing on site, accurate to about plus or minus 300mm horizontally and 500mm vertically. Quality Level A is visual sighting of the exposed service, accurate to about plus or minus 50mm.
An electronic locate (Quality Level B) is an approximation. Before any machine digging, each service must be confirmed to Quality Level A by careful hand digging or non-destructive digging by your excavation contractor. If a service cannot be located, that does not mean the area is clear: it must still be checked by hand before digging.
Do I need a utility locate for a home project?
Yes. Pools, fences, sheds, landscaping and extensions all involve digging that can hit a gas pipe, power cable or water main, and a residential locate costs far less than a service strike.
Most people do not think about what is buried under their garden until a contractor hits a gas pipe or cuts a power cable. Common residential jobs:
- Pool installation: gas, power, water and communications found before excavation
- Shed and garage footings
- Fencing and post holes, which easily strike buried cables
- Landscaping, irrigation trenches and driveway works
- Extensions and additions near existing services
- Before buying a property
Most residential locates are done in one visit. If you are planning any excavation at your Melbourne property, call 0413 522 220 first. If you suspect a leaking underground pipe, we also offer water leak detection.
Do you locate services for commercial and civil projects?
Yes. Drain Solutions locates services for construction sites, civil works, councils, schools, heritage sites and facility managers across Melbourne, including Telstra and Optus networks.
- Pre-excavation locating for construction sites and civil works
- Council and government works before road or footpath excavation
- Civil contractors and construction companies: trenching, piling, directional drilling and site preparation
- Telecommunications duct locating with Telstra and Optus authorisation
- School and university campuses, heritage and sensitive sites
- Service checks for facility managers before maintenance works
- Builders and developers before foundation works, extensions and new builds
- Plumbers and drainage contractors confirming pipe locations before repairs, replacements and new connections
- Surveyors and engineering consultants: utility mapping to support design and planning
We also handle drainage on commercial sites, so one company can locate, inspect and fix.
What underground services can Drain Solutions locate?
Drain Solutions locates sewer and stormwater pipes, water and gas mains, electrical cables, Telstra and Optus networks, fire services, empty conduits and unknown buried infrastructure.
- Sewer pipes and stormwater drains
- Water mains and domestic water pipes
- Gas mains and service pipes
- High and low voltage electrical cables and conduits
- Telstra and Optus copper and fibre optic networks
- Fire services and hydrant mains
- Communications ducts and empty conduits
- Unknown and undocumented infrastructure
How much does underground utility locating cost in Melbourne?
The cost of a utility locate depends mainly on time on site: the size of the site, how many services need locating, the equipment needed and the type of report. Drain Solutions explains its rates before starting.
- Size of the dig area and site
- Number and type of services
- Whether GPR scanning is needed
- Telecommunications access requirements
- Report type required by the builder or principal contractor
- Whether you want us to obtain and print the BYDA plans
- After-hours work
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Our Work
Recent utility locating jobs in Melbourne
Case study: Power cable locating at John Cain Arena, Melbourne Park
Drain Solutions located and mapped underground power cables and conduits at John Cain Arena in the Melbourne Park precinct. The survey recorded the depth and alignment of each service so work could go ahead safely.
We used SPX Radiodetection locating equipment to trace the cables and conduits, then marked and mapped their depth and alignment.
Case study: Pre-excavation locate at the Jewish Museum of Australia, St Kilda
Drain Solutions located underground services in St Kilda before excavation began, using professional service detection equipment to find the position and depth of buried water, gas, electrical and communication lines.
Our locating process identifies the position and depth of underground services so the people doing the excavation can dig safely and avoid costly service strikes.
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Who We Work For
Who has Drain Solutions done utility locating for?
Drain Solutions has carried out utility locating and drainage work for clients including Lendlease, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Grammar School, Xavier College and St Catherine's School.
- Lendlease: construction and infrastructure projects
- Queen Victoria Market: Melbourne CBD heritage precinct
- Melbourne Grammar School: South Yarra campus
- Xavier College: Kew campus utility locating and drainage works
- St Catherine's School: Toorak campus
For commercial enquiries, call 0413 522 220 or email info@drainsolutions.com.au.
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Areas We Serve
Which Melbourne suburbs does Drain Solutions cover for utility locating?
Drain Solutions locates underground services across Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs, including Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Balwyn, Glen Iris, Toorak, South Yarra, Richmond, Fitzroy, Carlton, East Melbourne, St Kilda and Brighton.
- Kew and Kew East: our home suburb. Federation and Victorian-era properties, large established gardens, older infrastructure with limited documentation.
- Hawthorn: heritage homes and commercial properties. Older pipe networks, frequent residential locating before pool and extension works.
- Toorak: high-end residential and institutional. Complex underground environments beneath established gardens and estates.
- Camberwell: large Federation-era blocks with older services that are often undocumented or inaccurately mapped.
- Richmond: Victorian terraces and commercial properties. Heritage drainage infrastructure under high-density use.
- Fitzroy and Carlton: dense inner-city heritage precincts with overlapping services from many eras.
- South Yarra: apartments and heritage homes. Regular locating before pool installations and landscape works.
- East Melbourne: commercial and institutional buildings near the CBD. Complex utility corridors.
- St Kilda: heritage buildings and residential properties. Older service infrastructure on established streets.
- Balwyn and Glen Iris: established family homes on large blocks. Locating before pool, shed and fencing works is common.
- Brighton: coastal properties and established homes. Pre-construction locating before extensions and pool works.
These suburbs have some of Melbourne's oldest and least documented underground services, with layers added over more than a century. We are based in Kew East. Call 0413 522 220 to confirm coverage for your site.
Why choose Drain Solutions for underground utility locating?
Drain Solutions is a CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation, Telstra and Optus authorised and BYDA registered, with 40+ years of experience in Melbourne's underground infrastructure.
- CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation: the only locators legally authorised to access Telstra and Optus underground assets. Not every Melbourne locator holds this.
- Telstra and Optus authorised for copper and fibre networks.
- BYDA registered and NULCA member.
- Work to AS 5488.1:2022.
- Our licence holder is a CertLoc Certified Locator who has worked on Melbourne's underground infrastructure since the early 1980s.
- Drainage specialists: locating combined with CCTV drain inspection when needed, and drain relining in-house if a pipe is damaged.
- AS 5488 colour-coded ground marking and a written report with supporting photos on every job.
- BPC licensed. BPC Licence No. 21741.
- Rates are explained before we start, with prices starting from $360. This work is not quoted up front because the cost depends on what we find on site. Payment is due on completion, or within 14 days of the invoice date. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Direct Debit and cash on completion.
Need underground utility locating in Melbourne? Call 0413 522 220
Know what is underground before you dig. CertLoc certified, Telstra and Optus authorised, BYDA registered, based in Kew East and covering residential, commercial, civil and council projects. Call 0413 522 220 or email info@drainsolutions.com.au for a quote.
Underground Utility Locating Melbourne: Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a utility locate before digging?
Underground services are often not where plans say they are, and hitting one can cause injury, costly damage, delays and legal liability. A professional locate with certified equipment is the only reliable way to know what is under your dig site.
What does CertLoc certified mean?
CertLoc is Australia's national certification body for underground utility locating. A CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation has met national standards for competency, equipment and safety, and only CertLoc Certified Locators are legally authorised to access Telstra and Optus networks. Not every locator in Melbourne holds this certification. Drain Solutions is on the CertLoc national directory.
Do I need a locate for a small job like a pool or fence?
Yes. Pools, fence posts, shed footings and irrigation all involve digging that can hit a gas pipe, power cable or water main. A residential locate is usually done in one visit and costs far less than a service strike.
Can you find plastic pipes and fibre optic conduits?
Yes. Ground penetrating radar and trace rods locate PVC pipes, fibre conduits, concrete pipes and other non-metallic services that standard locators cannot detect. Where a non-metallic pipe is accessible, a fibreglass trace rod carries our signal through it to confirm alignment and depth. GPR is used where direct access is not possible or a full subsurface scan is needed.
Can you locate Telstra and Optus cables?
Yes. Drain Solutions is Telstra and Optus accredited as a CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation and uses dedicated transmitting equipment to trace live copper and fibre networks without interrupting service. Where a conduit is empty or contains only fibre, a trace rod carries the locating signal.
Are Before You Dig plans enough?
No. BYDA plans show what asset owners have on record, but services can be missing, misplaced or moved. Always request BYDA plans, then have a physical locate to confirm what is actually under your site.
What is ground penetrating radar used for?
Ground penetrating radar sends a signal into the ground and detects objects that reflect it. It finds non-metallic pipes, fibre conduits, concrete structures and undocumented services that electromagnetic locators miss.
What do I get when the locate is finished?
All services found are marked on the ground in colour-coded paint to AS 5488, and you receive a written report with photos of the services, their approximate alignment and depth, and any site limitations. It is a useful record for future works on the same property.
What is the difference between BYDA and CertLoc?
Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) is the national referral service that sends you the asset owners' plans for your dig site. CertLoc is the certification body for the locators who physically go on site and find the services. You need both: the plans, then a certified locator.
What equipment do you use?
Ground penetrating radar (GPR), SPX Radiodetection radio frequency locators, fibreglass trace rods, sonde transmitters, concrete scanners and CCTV drain cameras with built-in sondes. All equipment is current and maintained to industry standards.
How accurate is an underground utility locate?
An electronic locate is an approximation: under AS 5488 Quality Level B it is accurate to about plus or minus 300mm horizontally and 500mm vertically. Before machine digging, each service must be exposed and confirmed by hand or non-destructive digging (Quality Level A, about plus or minus 50mm). If a service cannot be located, the area is not confirmed clear.
How long does a utility locate take?
A standard residential locate usually takes one to three hours. Larger commercial or civil sites can take a full day or more, and we confirm the time when you send us your site details.
Can you show where a damaged drain is before digging?
Yes. Our CCTV drain cameras have built-in sondes, so after the camera finds a collapse or failed joint we mark its exact position and depth on the surface. Any excavation is then small and targeted.
How much does underground utility locating cost?
It depends mainly on time on site: the size of the site, the number of services, the equipment needed and the report required. Drain Solutions explains its rates before starting.
What Melbourne suburbs do you cover for utility locating?
Kew, Kew East, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Balwyn, Glen Iris, Toorak, South Yarra, Richmond, Fitzroy, Carlton, East Melbourne, St Kilda, Brighton and surrounding suburbs. Call 0413 522 220 to confirm coverage.
More Services
Blocked Drains & Sewers
Drain Solutions clears blocked drains, blocked toilets and sewers across Melbourne, from 40mm household pipes to 600mm industrial sewers.
Drain Relining
Permanent no-dig repair for cracked, broken and root-damaged pipes. Your garden and driveway stay intact.
CCTV Drain Inspections
Full colour CCTV cameras find blockages, cracks, root intrusion and pipe damage. Recorded footage on every inspection.
High Pressure Water Jetting
Clears sewer and stormwater pipes from 40mm to 600mm. Cuts through tree roots and flushes out grease, silt and debris.
Drain Repairs
Stormwater and sewer pipe repairs for homes and businesses. The camera pinpoints the damage first, so any digging is targeted.
Underground Utility Locating
CertLoc Certified Locating Organisation (CLO), authorised for Telstra and Optus underground assets.
Water Leak Detection
Finds hidden underground water leaks without digging. A written report lets your plumber repair the exact spot.
Backflow Testing
BPC backflow prevention endorsement. Testing of RPZ valves and other devices, with a same-day compliance certificate.
0413 522 220
For Underground Utility Locating Melbourne, contact Drain Solutions to discuss your project requirements and site conditions.
Need to know what is buried under your site? Call us on 0413 522 220 or fill in the contact form below. We cover all of Melbourne and we will get the job done right.
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