Grant Piraine
Mar 20, 2020
In March 2020, industry media covering the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association conference highlighted a familiar concern shared by many delegates: private land locates continue to represent a significant and unresolved risk within the damage prevention landscape.
The coverage reinforced what many professionals working in ground disturbance, locating, and damage investigation had already experienced firsthand. While public locate systems are generally structured and understood, privately owned buried infrastructure often falls into a grey area where expectations are inconsistent and accountability is unclear.
According to conference discussions referenced in the article, private locates were described as operating without the same level of oversight or uniform standards applied elsewhere in the industry. Delegates noted that, unlike public infrastructure, private buried facilities are frequently managed through informal processes, varying levels of competency, and inconsistent documentation. This creates uncertainty for those expected to rely on locate information in the field.
A key issue identified was the ambiguity surrounding responsibility. While legislation requires buried facilities to be marked, it does not clearly define who is qualified to perform private locates or what constitutes an acceptable level of diligence. As a result, contractors and property owners are often left to navigate private locating decisions without clear guidance.
This lack of clarity places increased pressure on workers and supervisors to interpret locate information that may be incomplete, outdated, or misunderstood. When assumptions replace understanding, risk increases. Not because rules are ignored, but because limitations are not fully recognized.
The recognition of private locating risk at the 2020 OSWCA conference did not introduce a new problem. It confirmed an ongoing one. Damage investigations, near-miss reviews, and disputed claims have repeatedly shown that private property is where many of the most serious locating failures occur. These failures are rarely the result of a single mistake. They are the outcome of unclear expectations, insufficient awareness, and an overreliance on marks without verification.
Industry recognition of this issue matters. It signals that private locating challenges are not isolated incidents or niche concerns, but systemic gaps that require informed decision-making and a deeper understanding of locate limitations. Awareness alone is not enough. Without practical knowledge and shared standards, the same risks continue to surface.
The concerns highlighted in 2020 remain relevant today. Private land locates continue to demand greater attention, not through additional rules alone, but through education, experience, and a clearer understanding of what locate information can and cannot provide.
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