NRS455.131. Use of permanent device to identify location of certain subsurface installations required; options for operator of sewer main.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, an operator shall, for each subsurface installation that is installed on or after October 1, 2005, which cannot be detected from or above the surface of the ground by means of either the material used in constructing the subsurface installation or a conductor within the subsurface installation, install a permanent device which designates or provides a means of detecting a subsurface installation through the use of a noninvasive method from or above the surface of the ground. Such a device includes, without limitation, a tracer wire or a marker.

      2.  A person who connects a sewer service lateral to a sewer main shall, at the option of the operator of the sewer main:

      (a) Install a permanent device as described in subsection 1 of a type designated by the operator of the sewer main at the connection of the sewer service lateral to the sewer main and where the sewer service lateral exits the public right-of-way and promptly provide the operator of the sewer main with the location of such permanent devices;

      (b) Promptly provide the operator of the sewer main with the location of the connection of the sewer service lateral to the sewer main and where the sewer service lateral exits the public right-of-way as described by global positioning system coordinates which:

             (1) Are either identified by latitude and longitude using decimal degrees or are identified using coordinates of the Universal Transverse Mercator system; and

             (2) Specify for each coordinate whether the North American Datum of 1927, North American Datum of 1983 or the World Geodetic System 1984 was used; or

      (c) Provide to the operator of the sewer main notification of when the sewer service lateral is exposed so that the operator of the sewer main can identify the location of the sewer service lateral.

      3.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Above ground marker” is a marker which is installed flush with the surface of the ground or which protrudes above the surface of the ground above a subsurface installation and includes information concerning the subsurface installation.

      (b) “Electronic marker” is a marker which is buried at various depths below or near the surface of the ground above a subsurface installation and which contains a passive antenna that:

             (1) Can be identified with detection equipment; and

             (2) Does not require an internal power source.

      (c) “Marker” is a device that physically designates the location of a subsurface installation at intermittent locations along or above the subsurface installation and includes, without limitation, an above ground marker or electronic marker.

      (d) “Tracer wire” is a locating wire which is installed in conjunction with a subsurface installation and is connected to a transmitter that carries a signal which is read by a receiver above the surface of the ground for the detection of the location of the subsurface installation.

      (Added to NRS by 2005, 904; A 2009, 1169)