Dig Smarter. Dig Safer.
Every time a contractor breaks ground near underground utilities, there’s risk. Gas lines, fiber optic cables, water mains, and electrical conduit. Oregon 811 can tell you where they’re supposed to be, but it can’t guarantee precision. That’s where hydro excavation comes in.
Hydro excavation, also known as daylighting or potholing, uses pressurized water and powerful industrial vacuum systems to safely expose underground utilities, subsurface structures, and buried infrastructure without mechanical digging. No backhoe teeth, no guesswork, and no costly strikes. It’s the fastest, safest, and most accurate excavation method available, and it’s how Oregon’s most experienced contractors protect their projects, crews, and schedules.
What Is Hydro Excavation?
Hydro excavation uses high-pressure water to break up soil and a powerful vacuum to remove the slurry, leaving underground utilities fully exposed and undamaged. Unlike mechanical excavation, there’s no risk of cutting, crushing, or displacing buried lines.
In certain job conditions where water introduction is not preferred, vacuum excavation may be available as an alternative to hydro excavation. Our team can recommend the safest and most effective method based on soil conditions, utility type, and site requirements.
It’s the preferred method when:
- You’re working near buried gas, electric, telecom, fiber optic, or water utilities
Hydro excavation safely exposes underground infrastructure without the risk of striking, cutting, or damaging critical lines. It’s widely used for utility daylighting, potholing, and verification before directional boring, trenching, or mechanical excavation begins. - You need precise excavation in tight, congested, or sensitive work areas
Ideal for slot trenching, utility crossings, intersections, urban corridors, industrial facilities, and crowded underground utility zones where accuracy matters and conventional excavation equipment may be too disruptive or unsafe. - Ground conditions make traditional mechanical excavation risky or inefficient
Hydro excavation is performed safely in areas with unknown utility depths, unstable soil conditions, rocky material, frozen ground, or locations where excavators and trenchers could damage buried infrastructure or surrounding surfaces. - You’re working in paved, landscaped, or finished areas where minimizing damage is important
The controlled excavation process reduces unnecessary surface disruption, limits restoration costs, and helps preserve asphalt, concrete, sidewalks, curbs, and surrounding property improvements. - Your project specifications, municipality, or utility owner requires non-destructive excavation methods
Hydro excavation is commonly specified for utility verification, infrastructure upgrades, municipal work, pipeline projects, and sensitive excavation applications where safety, compliance, and utility protection are critical requirements.
Vacuum Excavation vs. Hydro Excavation
Both services use industrial vacuum trucks, but they solve different problems:
- Hydro Excavation uses pressurized water to break up compacted soil and expose buried utilities. Choose hydro when you need to dig into undisturbed ground near underground lines.
- Vacuum Excavation uses suction alone to remove loose material, debris, liquids, and industrial byproducts. Choose vacuum when the material is already loose or needs to be extracted cleanly without additional disturbance.
Mid-State operates both services from the same fleet, so if your project requires both, we can handle it in a single mobilization.
Our Hydro Excavation Services
Utility Daylighting
Safe exposure of buried utilities before mechanical digging begins
Slot Trenching
Narrow, precise trenches for pipe, conduit, and cable installation
Potholing
Targeted excavation to verify utility depth and location
Debris & Spoil Removal
Vacuuming out excavated material for clean, controlled removal
Confined Area Excavation
Working in tight spaces where conventional equipment can’t go
Post-Repair Backfill Prep
Cleaning excavation zones before backfill and restoration
Who We Serve
We provide hydro excavation and non-destructive utility exposure services for contractors, municipalities, utilities, and industrial facilities across Oregon.
Utility Contractors
Safe exposure of gas, electric, telecom, fiber optic, and water infrastructure before mechanical excavation.
General Contractors
Precision excavation around existing underground utilities, footings, foundations, and active construction zones.
Municipal Public Works
Non-destructive excavation support for utility repairs, stormwater infrastructure maintenance, and underground infrastructure upgrades.
Pipeline & Fiber Optic Crews
Utility daylighting, trench support, potholing, and line location verification during installation projects.
ODOT & Highway Contractors
Hydro excavation support for roadway, shoulder, and right-of-way excavation near buried infrastructure.
Industrial Facilities
Precise excavation around buried process lines, underground utilities, conduits, and sensitive facility infrastructure.
Oregon 811: Call Before You Dig. Then Call Us.
Oregon law requires contractors to contact Oregon 811 before any ground disturbance. But utility locates are approximate. They mark a zone, not an exact line. Hydro excavation is how you verify the actual location before you dig.
Using hydro excavation to daylight utilities before mechanical excavation:
- Reduces the risk of utility strikes, service interruptions, and costly project delays
- Supports safe utility exposure before mechanical excavation begins
- Satisfies many utility owner requirements for pre-excavation verification
- Helps contractors work safely around buried gas, electric, telecom, fiber, and water infrastructure
- Protects crews, schedules, surrounding infrastructure, and jobsite productivity
Why Oregon Contractors Choose Mid-State for Hydro Excavation
Oregon 811 Compliance
Oregon law requires safe digging practices near underground utilities. Our hydro excavation process protects your crew, your project, and your liability. Every time.
No Mechanical Damage
Traditional excavation risks cutting gas lines, fiber, water mains, and conduit. Hydro excavation eliminates that risk entirely.
Fast, Flexible Scheduling
We work around your project timeline. Days, nights, and weekends. Emergency response available 24/7/365.
Statewide Fleet
With more than two dozen vacuum trucks and sweepers, Mid-State has the equipment and crew capacity to respond quickly across Oregon, reducing mobilization time and travel costs.
Experienced, Certified Crews
Mid-State’s hydro excavation operations comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P excavation safety requirements, with operators trained in safe excavation practices and, where required, confined space entry protocols.
Service Areas
Mid-State Industrial provides hydro excavation services across Oregon, including:
Portland Metro
Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties
Salem & Mid-Willamette Valley
Marion and Polk Counties
Eugene & Springfield
Lane County
Bend & Central Oregon
Deschutes County
Roseburg & Southern Oregon
Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties
Eastern Oregon
Available upon request
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us. We likely do. (541) 726-6730
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hydro excavation?
Hydro excavation uses pressurized water to loosen soil and a vacuum system to remove it. It’s the safest way to expose underground utilities without risking damage from mechanical equipment.
Is hydro excavation required near utilities?
Many utility owners and project specifications require non-destructive excavation methods near existing infrastructure. Even when not required, it’s the industry’s best practice for reducing strike risk.
How deep can you excavate with hydro excavation?
Depth depends on soil conditions and equipment configuration. Contact us to discuss your specific project requirements.
Do you remove the spoil from the site?
Yes. Excavated material is vacuumed into our truck and can be transported off-site or deposited as directed by your project team.
Safe Around Lines. Tough on Soil.
Don’t risk a utility strike. Call Mid-State before you dig.
24/7 emergency dispatch available, statewide coverage across Oregon.