Are You Going to Dig?

In short, before digging on private property: 

• Find out what services Veitur provides in your area. Note that other utility companies might also have services there. 

• View the location of Veitur’s pipes and cables on Orkuveitan’s map website (make sure to select all media layers in the menu on the left). 

• If you want pipeline drawings sent by email, information about that is available here. 

• If the pipelines are far away (e.g., on the opposite side of the house), it’s safe to dig. 

• If the pipelines are close to the planned excavation area, you must request confirmation of their exact location from Veitur.

Pipe Breaks Are Dangerous 

Water pipes are often under high pressure and can burst if excavation weakens or dislodges them, causing sudden flooding nearby. 

• Geothermal pipes carry very hot water, and leaks from them are dangerous. 

• Damaged electrical cables can cause electric shock or dangerous arcs. 

• Damaged sewage pipes can cause blockages and indoor flooding. 

• Old water pipes can easily break if digging occurs near them. 

Damage to Pipes 

Please report any damage you cause or discover to utility lines immediately. If you are unsure whether damage has occurred, call 516 6161, and Veitur staff will assess it. Minor damage to pipe coatings is best repaired right away. Veitur only charges for repeated or negligent damage. Preventing unexpected leaks later benefits everyone—especially nearby customers. 

Damage to high-voltage cables is always charged to the contractor. 

Where Are the Pipes? 

Pipes lie below the surface, at varying depths. Generally, Sewage pipes are deepest, then cold-water pipes followed by geothermal pipes and electric and fiber-optic cables at the top. 

It’s safer for everyone to know where the pipes are. 
You can view their locations on Orkuveitan’s map website, which shows Veitur and Ljósleiðarinn (fiber) lines. 
Note that in some municipalities, other utilities (e.g., Rarik, HS Veitur, or the municipality) also have infrastructure — drawings for those must be obtained from them. 

Pipeline drawings vary in accuracy. If you plan to dig near pipelines, please notify Veitur in advance — we may visit the site to verify their exact location before you start digging. 
This ensures safety and prevents sudden service interruptions if a line is hit. 

If you wish to receive pipeline drawings by email, information is available here. 

If There Is a High-Voltage Cable in the Area 

It can be dangerous to dig into a live high-voltage cable and may cause power outages nearby.If you plan to dig close to such a cable, it’s best to request a line shutdown for safety. Veitur can de-energize the cable temporarily where possible — usually within a week. 

Please note:  It is strictly forbidden to dig or remove soil within 3 meters of where 132,000 V high-voltage cables are located. This rule is non-negotiable. Such cables cannot be de-energized except briefly in urgent cases. Damage to these cables can cost millions of ISK and cause power outages for many people. 

All excavation near these cables must be coordinated with Veitur. 

Should Veitur Check If Pipes Need Renewal? 

When digging near utility lines, Veitur would like to be informed — sometimes the work presents an opportunity to renew the pipelines. Staff assess the age and type of the lines and decide whether to take advantage of the open trench. This can save the homeowner from significant disruption and prevent future failures. 

Changes or Relocation of Lines 

If a contractor wishes to change the location of pipelines (e.g., move them within or outside the property), a request must be submitted via Veitur’s “My Pages” (under domestic connections). Building or lot layout drawings must be included. 

If the change is approved, Veitur will carry out the work once the drawings are approved and cost-sharing has been agreed upon. As a rule, the person requesting the change pays the cost.