A locate is the process of identifying and marking underground utilities before excavation or construction begins. That includes gas, water, electric, telecommunications, and other buried services.
One Call covers public utilities. A private locate covers what sits on your property.
In many regions, you are legally required to contact your local One Call service before breaking ground. In Ontario, that is Ontario One Call.
This service arranges for utility companies to mark publicly owned utilities such as gas, water, sewer, electric, and telecommunications lines that run up to the service connection point, usually the property line.
This public service is provided free of charge.
One Call does not cover utilities that are privately owned and located beyond the service connection point, typically within private property.
Examples include power lines from a home to an outbuilding or detached garage, private water or sewer laterals, propane or natural gas lines on private land, and underground lighting or other private service lines.
These require a private locator to accurately detect and mark them.
In summary: One Call identifies the public utilities leading to your property. A private locate ensures that everything within your property boundaries is properly marked — helping prevent costly damages, delays, and safety risks. Private utilities are typically marked with pink paint, but can also be marked with standard utility colours.
