Abstract: A tracer wire configured to be situated on, or adjacent to a buried utility line is provided. The tracer wire allows the hidden utility line to be quickly and accurately identified. A tracer wire grounding rod is interconnected to the tracer wire and provides a means by which electrical current used to identify utility line can travel through the earth to a ground point. The tracer wire grounding rod has a prong residing in a cavity that receives one end of the tracer wire.