Cross bores present a significant risk to municipalities, utility companies, and the public.
A cross bore occurs when a new underground utility is inadvertently installed through an existing utility or pipeline, often lying undetected until later excavation or maintenance. These hidden conflicts can lead to catastrophic failures, including gas leaks, sewer backups, and infrastructure damage.
Given the potential hazards, it’s vital that municipalities establish a comprehensive cross bore prevention and mitigation strategy to ensure public safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term cost efficiency.
Understanding Cross Bores and Their Risks
Cross bores typically result from trenchless technology methods such as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), auger boring, and pipe bursting. While these techniques minimize surface disruption and accelerate utility installations, they also increase the likelihood of intersecting existing underground infrastructure if not properly managed.
Key Risks Associated with Cross Bores:
- Public Safety Hazards: Undetected cross bores in gas lines can lead to explosions, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning
- Sewer System Compromise: A cross bore into a sewer line can result in blockages, causing sewage backups and property damage
- Infrastructure Damage: Repairing cross bores is costly and disruptive to local infrastructure, impacting businesses and residents
- Legal and Financial Liabilities: Municipalities may face lawsuits, regulatory penalties, and insurance claims due to cross bore incidents
Developing a Municipal Cross Bore Strategy
A municipal cross bore strategy should encompass proactive prevention, diligent detection, and efficient mitigation. The following steps outline a best-practice approach for creating an effective program.
1. Establish a Cross Bore Prevention Program
Prevention is the most effective way to manage cross bore risks. Municipalities should develop clear policies and procedures to minimize the occurrence of new cross bores.
Implement Pre-Construction Planning
- Hire a professional utility locating and mapping company that also can conduct sewer pipe inspection services, to fully inspect and map your buried infrastructure
- Utilize Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to maintain updated records of underground infrastructure
- Require utility coordination meetings before excavation projects commence
Enhance Contractor and Staff Training
- Develop mandatory cross bore awareness training for municipal workers and contractors
- Educate stakeholders on proper trenchless technology procedures and cross bore prevention techniques
- Encourage certification programs for HDD operators and inspection personnel
Enforce Rigorous Permitting and Oversight
- Require permits for all trenchless construction projects with a detailed utility conflict assessment
- Establish stringent regulations for directional drilling and excavation projects
- Conduct pre- and post-installation inspections to verify proper utility placements
2. Implement a Cross Bore Detection Program
Even with robust prevention measures, some cross bores may still occur. A systematic detection program ensures that existing cross bores are identified and mitigated before they lead to critical failures.
Adopt Video Inspection Technology
- Hire a professional sewer inspection company to conduct Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) sewer inspections to detect potential cross bores
- Establish a schedule for routine inspections of high-risk areas
- Require post-construction CCTV inspections for all trenchless installations near sewer laterals
Encourage Public Reporting and Utility Collaboration
- Create a municipal reporting system where residents and plumbers can report suspected cross bores
- Develop partnerships with utility providers to share data on underground utility installations and previous cross bore incidents
- Implement a standardized process for investigating reports and prioritizing responses
3. Develop a Cross Bore Mitigation Plan
Once detected, municipalities must have an efficient response protocol to resolve cross bores safely and effectively.
Establish Emergency Response Procedures
- Develop a standardized emergency response plan for gas-related cross bores
- Ensure coordination with fire departments, utility companies, and first responders
- Provide public safety alerts when high-risk cross bores are discovered in populated areas
Ensure Safe and Efficient Repairs
- Utilize non-destructive excavation techniques such as hydro-excavation to expose cross bores
- Develop repair protocols based on best practices and industry standards
- Require post-repair inspections to confirm the issue has been resolved
Regulatory Compliance and Industry Standards
Municipal cross bore programs must align with federal, state, and local regulations to maintain compliance and ensure the safety of residents. Relevant standards include:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations for excavation and utility work
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Guidelines for gas pipeline safety
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standards for subsurface utility engineering (SUE)
- Local Utility Coordination Laws requiring municipalities to work with public and private utility providers
Municipalities should also engage with industry organizations such as the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to stay informed about emerging best practices and technological advancements in cross bore management.
Funding and Resource Allocation
Developing and maintaining a cross bore strategy requires financial investment. Municipalities should explore funding opportunities and cost-effective solutions to support their initiatives.
Leverage Federal and State Grants
- Seek infrastructure improvement grants that support utility safety and modernization
- Apply for funding through agencies like the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Implement Cost-Sharing Programs with Utilities
- Develop agreements with utility companies to share the costs of inspections and remediation
- Establish fee-based programs for developers and contractors to contribute to cross bore prevention efforts
Utilize Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)
- Collaborate with technology providers to pilot new detection methods at a lower cost
- Work with academic institutions and research organizations to develop innovative solutions for cross bore management
Let GPRS Help Protect Your Municipality from Cross Bores
Cross bores represent a significant challenge in the management of underground utilities, particularly with the increasing use of trenchless technology.
GPRS’ utility locating, utility mapping, and video pipe inspection services provide you and your team members with a comprehensive understanding of the subsurface infrastructure in your project area, so you know where it’s safe to trench or bore, and where breaking ground could have catastrophic consequences.
Our team of over 500 SIM and NASSCO-certified Project Managers (PMs) are strategically stationed across every major market in the U.S., so you always have professional utility locating and mapping, and sewer line inspection services near you.
From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep you on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize? Click below to schedule a service or request a quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pipes can GPRS inspect?
Our NASSCO-certified Project Managers can inspect pipes from 2” in diameter and up.
What deliverables does GPRS offer when conducting a video pipe inspection (VPI)?
GPRS is proud to offer WinCan reporting to our Video Pipe Inspection clients. Maintaining sewers starts with understanding sewer condition, and WinCan allows GPRS Project Managers to collect detailed, NASSCO-compliant inspection data. GPRS Project Managers not only inspect the interior condition of sewer pipes, laterals, and manholes – they can also provide a map of their location. The GPRS Mapping & Modeling Department can provide detailed GPS overlays and CAD files. Our detailed WinCan/NASSCO reports contain screenshots of the interior condition of the pipe segments that we inspect, as well as a video file for further evaluation, documentation, and/or reference.q
