Kelvin D. “K.D.” Cooper of Gloucester started Discovery Underground Locating LLC, a private subsurface utility locating and mapping service, in 2018.
Prior to starting the business, he worked as a utility locater for over 25 years, including 20 years with Miss Utility, the Virginia Utility Protection Service. He most recently worked for an engineering firm as a subsurface utility engineer. Cooper decided to strike out on his own when he saw the need for the service among local homeowners.
Cooper said his worksites have included Langley Air Force Base, the Jefferson Lab in Newport News, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, the College of William and Mary, Radford University, Virginia Tech, and Washington and Lee University.
He said he chiefly uses electronic equipment, such as ground penetrating radar and an electromagnetic locator, to locate a variety of lines. He can find electrical lines as well as gas lines, sewer and well lines, sprinkler lines and just about any line that has been placed underground.
Cooper can also locate tanks and find leaks and breaks in lines. In addition to his work locating underground utilities, he said he can also do wall scanning to locate interior utilities.
Cooper said he can survey an entire property, have its underground lines pinpointed by GPS and produce CAD drawings for property owners to keep for their records.
“There’s a lot more to it than just coming out and marking a line to your pier,” he said. “It can be challenging at times, and you have to take a lot of pride in what you do.”
Cooper primarily works alone in his new business and is licensed and insured. He said he is willing to travel anywhere in the East Coast region to take on a job.
Originally from Lexington, Cooper is a graduate of Gloucester High School and has lived in the county for 34 years. He and his wife have four children and reside in James Store.
Prior to starting the business, he worked as a utility locater for over 25 years, including 20 years with Miss Utility, the Virginia Utility Protection Service. He most recently worked for an engineering firm as a subsurface utility engineer. Cooper decided to strike out on his own when he saw the need for the service among local homeowners.
Cooper said his worksites have included Langley Air Force Base, the Jefferson Lab in Newport News, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, the College of William and Mary, Radford University, Virginia Tech, and Washington and Lee University.
He said he chiefly uses electronic equipment, such as ground penetrating radar and an electromagnetic locator, to locate a variety of lines. He can find electrical lines as well as gas lines, sewer and well lines, sprinkler lines and just about any line that has been placed underground.
Cooper can also locate tanks and find leaks and breaks in lines. In addition to his work locating underground utilities, he said he can also do wall scanning to locate interior utilities.
Cooper said he can survey an entire property, have its underground lines pinpointed by GPS and produce CAD drawings for property owners to keep for their records.
“There’s a lot more to it than just coming out and marking a line to your pier,” he said. “It can be challenging at times, and you have to take a lot of pride in what you do.”
Cooper primarily works alone in his new business and is licensed and insured. He said he is willing to travel anywhere in the East Coast region to take on a job.
Originally from Lexington, Cooper is a graduate of Gloucester High School and has lived in the county for 34 years. He and his wife have four children and reside in James Store.