Traditionally, excavation work was done by hand, or by using tools such as shovels, or heavy equipment such as backhoes. Manual excavation is very labor intensive, and labor costs are high. Also, shoveling typically takes quite a lot of time, not to mention that inaccuracies (which are frequent and inherent) can also damage underground lines and the surrounding soil. Excavators are much faster than manual digging, but they often remove more soil than necessary and lack accuracy.

The water excavation Denver construction utilizes is a modern technique, which reduces liability and insurance costs. Accidents, injuries and damages can thus be better avoided. Damage to buried cables and other utilities is also minimized. Overall, hydro excavation makes the entire digging process safer, cheaper, more accurate and less time consuming.

Hydrovac is primarily used for excavation and exposure of underground utilities, for maintenance and repair operations, digging narrow trenches necessary for laying cables, pipes etc., piling hole excavation, debris removal and even digging in cold weather and frozen soil.

Innovation in hydroexcavation

Cold and frozen ground represent a big problem when trying to use conventional digging tools and methods. This is how the idea of using hot and pressurized water to loosen frozen ground transpired. This technology is now incorporated into hydrovac trucks, which are also equipped with a power vacuum that sucks the moist mud into a tank, using it later to fill the hole or transporting to a designated landfill site.

This new technology was a major breakthrough for many industries, such as oil and gas industry, construction etc. Ultimately, this resulted in a more precise excavation process, which does not endanger underground utilities and has little environmental impact. This method is not only much safer and more efficient, but also cheaper.