§ 12–129
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. § 12-129 (2026)
Title 12. Underground Facilities
Subtitle 1. Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities
§ 12–129LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, any new or replacement piping that is buried or installed for the purposes of connecting a building to a water supply system, a sewerage system, an underground storm drain system, or any other applicable device shall be buried or installed with a wire or an equivalent product or technology that makes the piping detectable or locatable.
(b)
Any wire used to comply with subsection (a) of this section shall:
(1)
be an insulated copper tracer wire that is suitable for direct burial and has an American wire gauge (AWG) of at least 10, or an equivalent product;
(2)
be installed:
(i)
in the same trench as the piping that connects the building to the water supply system or the sewerage system;
(ii)
within 12 inches of the piping that connects the building to the water supply system or the sewerage system; and
(iii)
with at least one end of the wire terminating above grade in a location that is accessible and resistant to physical damage, such as in a cleanout or next to an external wall of the building; and
(3)
run from within 5 feet of an external wall of the building to:
(i)
the point where the piping intersects with the water supply system or the sewerage system; or
(ii)
the point where the sewerage system disposes of or processes the sewage.
(c)
The requirement of subsection (a) of this section with regard to replacement piping connecting a building to a water supply system or a sewerage system:
(1)
applies only to a complete replacement of the piping; and
(2)
does not apply to a repair or a partial replacement of the piping.