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Chapter 4

4.21 Service Lines

Practice Statement:

A service line is marked in response to a locate request to the operator who uses the service line to pursue a business that derives revenue by providing a product or service to an end-use customer via the service line. A service line is marked in response to a locate request to a governmental entity that provides a product or service to an end-use customer via the service line.34

Practice Description:

A service line is a type of underground facility that is connected to a main facility. The service line is used by the following entities:

  • An operator who provides a product or service within a right-of-way, an easement, or an allowed access to or through private property while pursuing a business that generates revenue by providing a product or service to an end-use customer (other than another operator of like kind or themselves)
  • A governmental entity that provides a product or service via that service line.

The operator or the governmental entity locates and marks these service lines within the bounds of the locate request up to either 1) the point of their operational responsibility, 2) the point the service line enters a building, or 3) where the access to locate the line terminates, as designated by the prevailing law. 

References:

  • South Dakota Attorney General’s official opinion 8/11/08
  • Minnesota DPS Rule Ch 7560 – 5/31/05
  • Colorado appellate court case: Wycon Construction Co. v. Wheat Ridge Sanitation District, 870 P.2d 496 (Ct. App. Col. 1994)
  • Leon County, FL, County Court Case No. 03-SC-6827, Mitchell Properties, Ltd. V. Cornerstone of North Florida, Inc. v. City of Tallahassee
  • Oregon PUC Ruling 5/1/98
  • State One Calls laws: AZ, GA, MN, OH, PA

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