Need to Find Existing Utility

[arcoiris74]

I currently began a new project along 3 miles of a creek in San Jose, Ca. Finding the existing utility is the only thing I am lacking at the moment in order to get started. It would be ideal if someone had it available on autocad or microstation files, and in layers for different utilities. Unfortunately it seems as though I will need to go to City Hall and make copies of the existing drawings and files they have. Since this is just a preliminary esign, I don't want to hire a surveyor to find all exisiting utilities (pipes, phone, elec, etc.) for me. Any recomendations on who would be best to contact, or how to go about solving this problem?

 

[jheidt2543]

In many states the public utilities have a system for locating underground utilities called "Diggers Hotline" or J.U.L.I.E. They are paid by the utilities for the location work. If you have such a system in CA, then they will do the location for you free of charge. Generally though, they will only locate the underground utilites on the public right-of-way, not on private property. A phone call to the hotline will start the process and they will do the "locate" within three working days.

 

[cvg]

in california it is called Underground Service Alert at 1-800-422-4133. However, it is 2 days before you dig. They may be unwilling to locate if you are in design phase. This is meant for the contractor.

The process you are going through is often the only method. Some cities have GIS systems which compile utility maps and they will either plot or may give you a digital file. They are typically digitized or scanned from paper maps, so limited in accuracy. rarely of as-built quality.

you would be best to assume conservative locations and depths of utilities and then pothole selected ones which are costly to relocate or likely to be in conflict

 

[arcoiris74]

Thank you for the replies to my question. It seems there is no avoiding going through all of the utility companies and local governments to retrieve data. Last chance may be a local mapping company that may have GIS data...which would be ideal.
Thank you