Utility mapping in Dubai is the process of identifying, locating and documenting underground services including water mains, sewer pipes, electricity cables, telecoms, gas lines and stormwater drainage before any excavation or construction begins. It is an essential safety and planning requirement on every construction site in the UAE.
What is a GPR Survey in Dubai?
GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) is the most effective technology for detecting buried utilities without excavation. A GPR system emits radar pulses into the ground and records the reflections from buried objects, allowing the surveyor to identify the position and depth of underground pipes, cables and structures.
Sky TerraEye uses GPR in combination with electromagnetic radio detection (for live cables and metallic pipes) to provide the most comprehensive utility mapping service available in Dubai. All detected utilities are surveyed with a total station or GNSS and plotted on a scaled drawing.
What Utilities Can Be Detected in Dubai?
- Water mains — DEWA distribution pipes, service connections and valves
- Sewer and drainage — gravity sewers, rising mains, stormwater drains and manholes
- Electricity cables — DEWA HV and LV distribution cables, street lighting feeds
- Telecoms — Etisalat, Du and other telecom cable ducts and conduits
- Gas pipes — ENOC, ADGAS and other gas distribution networks
- District cooling — insulated chilled water pipes for district cooling networks
- Irrigation — municipality irrigation pipes and control cables
Utility Mapping Cost in Dubai (2026)
| Service | Cost (AED) | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| GPR Survey (per day, up to 500m) | AED 2,500 | 24–48 hrs |
| Radio Detection Survey (per day) | AED 2,500 | 24 hrs |
| Combined GPR + Radio Detection | AED 5,500/day | 24–48 hrs |
| CCTV Drain Survey (per 100m) | AED 1,800 | 48 hrs |
| Full Site Utility Mapping (per day) | AED 4,500 | 2–3 days |
Safety First: Never excavate in Dubai without utility mapping. A single strike on a DEWA HV cable can cause serious injury, major delays and costs of AED 50,000+ in repair and penalties. Call Sky TerraEye at +971 50 309 1162 before your excavation permit is approved.
When is Utility Mapping Required in Dubai?
- Before applying for an excavation permit from Dubai Municipality or RTA
- Before foundation excavation, piling or auger drilling on any site
- Before road cutting for new utility service connections
- Before installing new underground utilities in existing corridors
- For conflict analysis between new design and existing utilities
- For as-built documentation of newly installed underground services
Utility Mapping Deliverables
Sky TerraEye delivers complete utility mapping reports including:
- Utility Location Drawing — AutoCAD DWG and PDF showing all detected utilities in plan with depths
- GPR Radargram Data — raw and interpreted GPR scan data files
- Conflict Analysis Report — overlay of detected utilities with new design drawings
- CCTV Drain Report — video footage and coded defect schedule for drainage surveys
- 3D Utility Model — BIM-compatible 3D model of underground services on request
Why Sky TerraEye for Utility Mapping in Dubai?
Sky TerraEye operates MALA and IDS GPR systems combined with Radiodetection RD8100 cable and pipe locators — the same equipment used by Dubai utility authorities. Our utility surveyors are experienced in UAE underground infrastructure and can identify and classify all major utility types across Dubai construction sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
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