Overview

Timmons Group provided subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) services for a pump station facilities upgrade in Chesapeake, Virginia. Contracted by the City of Chesapeake in April 2025, the project focused on determining the location of existing underground utilities to support future improvements at the site.

While traditional electromagnetic locating methods were able to identify many of the utilities, several non-conductive lines—such as the force main—required additional investigation. Timmons Group deployed a multichannel GPR unit, the STREAM DP by IDS GeoRadar, which features 30 channels and a 3-foot scan width, allowing efficient coverage across the site. This technology uses a patented EsT system that offers 40–60% greater depth penetration compared to conventional equipment.

Once fieldwork was complete, the team processed the data using IQMaps software to identify and map underground utility signatures, which were then exported into CAD and GIS formats for integration into the overall site planning. This approach allowed the project to meet ASCE 38-22 Quality Level B standards for subsurface utility investigations.

By combining traditional survey methods with advanced GPR technology, Timmons Group helped the City of Chesapeake gain a clearer understanding of existing underground conditions, reducing risk during the pump station’s design and construction phases.