CONTRACTING: EXPOSING THE FACTS

1. CONTRACTING: EXPOSING THE FACTS

2. WHO IS NPL? • IN ARIZONA  • ONE OF THE LARGEST USERS OF THE BLUE STAKE CENTER WITH OVER 39,700 TRANSACTIONS IN 2004 (& other states) • 200 CREWS • NATIONWIDE  • CORE BUSINESS = the SAFE INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE of RELIABLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS • INSTALLS/REPLACES OVER 10 MILLION FEET/YEAR

3. OUR GREATEST CONCERN CATASTROPHIC LOSS RESULTING FROM UTILITY LINES THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM LOCATING LAWS

4. THE ROOT CAUSE:A CATCH 22 • THE LAWS IN SOME STATES, INCLUDING AZ, DO NOT REQUIRE ALL PRIVATELY-OWNED & SOME PUBLICLY-OWNED FACILITIES IN THE HISTORIC INSTALLATION CORRIDOR TO BE MARKED • CONTRACTORS HAVE NO PRACTICAL WAY OF FINDING THESE LINES & ARE OFTEN EVEN PROHIBITED FROM CHECKING FOR THEM DUE TO GOVERNMENTAL NO-CUT POLICIES

5. THE CONTRACTORS’ PROBLEM • CONTRACTORS ARE OFTEN HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HITTING THESE UNMARKED, UNKNOWN LINES • CONTRACTORS’ INSURANCE RATES ARE ON THE RISE • AS THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS RAPIDLY BECOMING AWARE OF THIS EXPOSURE, THE ABILITY OF CONTRACTORS TO SECURE INSURANCE FOR TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY IS IN JEOPARDY

6. THE CHALLENGE • THIS EXPOSURE IS ESCALATING AS MORE TRENCHLESS INSTALLATION IS DONE EACH YEAR • SOMETHING MUST BE DONE QUICKLY • THERE IS LITTLE AWARENESS OF THIS ISSUE OUTSIDE THE CONTRACTING AND INSURANCE INDUSTRIES

7. THE SOLUTION • ALL UNDERGROUND FACILITIES, INCLUDING SEWER LINES, MUST BE MARKED BY THE OWNER OR THE GOVERNMENT BODY THAT RECEIVES REVENUE FROM THE FACILITY • ALL FUTURE SEWER LINES MUST BE LOCATABLE (i.e. tracer wire, marker balls etc) • ACCURATE MAPS MUST BE REQUIRED & AVAILABLE TO CONTRACTORS

8. CALL TO ACTION • INITIATE & SUPPORT LEGISLATION • ELEVATE GENERAL AWARENESS OF OUR ISSUE

9. NPL CORE VALUES Always do what is right Treat all people with respect Work together Tell the truth Take care of your customers Be a good steward Keep it simple Never quit Remember, we dig ditches