Transportation & Utilities
Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)
What is buried here, and exactly where is it?
Also called: utility mapping, utility designation, utility test holes, or vacuum excavation.
Understanding the work
SUE classifies utility information by quality level under ASCE 38 — from records research (QL-D) through surface designation (QL-B) to exposed test holes (QL-A). Mapping utilities early reduces redesign, delays, and strike risk during construction.
- Road & utility design
- Pre-construction planning
- Reducing excavation risk
Who it’s for
- Roadway and site design engineers
- Utility owners
- Contractors planning excavation
Typical work involved
- Utility records research
- Electromagnetic and ground-penetrating radar designation
- Vacuum-excavation test holes where needed
The result
What you’ll receive
- Utilities mapped by ASCE 38 quality level
- Horizontal & vertical utility locations
- Test hole data sheets
Common questions
What clients ask about this work
Can a survey locate underground utilities?
Yes. Our Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) services research utility records, designate lines with electromagnetic and ground-penetrating radar, and can expose them with test holes. SUE supports design — you still need an 811 locate request before digging.
What is Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)?
SUE is an engineering process for identifying, locating, and mapping buried utilities during design. It combines records research, geophysical detection, and test holes so utility conflicts are found on paper instead of in the trench.
What are SUE quality levels?
ASCE 38 defines four levels: QL-D (existing records), QL-C (records plus visible surface features), QL-B (utilities designated with detection equipment), and QL-A (utilities exposed and measured at test holes). Higher levels cost more but reduce risk.
Scope, applicable standards, accuracy, deliverables, timing, and price are confirmed in writing for each project.