Chart
Utility locate marking colour legend
Reference common locate marking colours for electrical, communication, gas, water, sewer, and proposed excavation markings in Canada.
Does not replace a locate request, field ticket, utility marking, excavation law, or safe digging procedure.
colour legend
Colour-to-utility field legend
Use the colour legend to recognize markings, then follow the locate ticket and local safe digging process.
Power lines, conduit, lighting cables.
Telecom, fibre, cable TV, signal.
Gas, oil, steam, petroleum.
Potable water and irrigation.
Sewer and storm drainage.
Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry where used locally.
Survey markings or temporary investigation marks.
Work area pre-marking.
Decision reference
Show the field meaning of common locate colours before excavation planning.
| Colour | Typical meaning | Field use | Boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Electric power | Power lines, cables, conduit, lighting cables | Confirm ticket and marks |
| Orange | Communication | Fibre, telecom, signal, alarm, cable TV | Confirm owner and marks |
| Yellow | Gas or oil | Gas, oil, steam, petroleum facilities | Follow excavation rules |
| Blue / Green | Water / sewer | Potable water, irrigation, sewer, drainage | Confirm local code |
| White | Proposed excavation | Work area pre-marking | Not a locate clearance |
Use notes
- Use this chart as a planning and conversation aid only.
- Confirm current utility requirements, product markings, manufacturer instructions, and local authority requirements before field work.
- Use the linked calculator or table when the task needs project-specific arithmetic.
Reference sources
Open the underlying public references before treating the chart as project guidance.