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 may not be exactly where records say they are. Oregon 811 helps identify where utilities are expected to be, but it can’t guarantee precision. That’s where hydro excavation comes in.
Mid-State Industrial Service provides hydro excavation, also known as daylighting or potholing, throughout Oregon. Using pressurized water and powerful industrial vacuum systems, we safely expose underground utilities, subsurface structures, and buried infrastructure without mechanical digging.
No backhoe teeth, no guesswork, and no costly strikes. Hydro excavation gives contractors a safer, more accurate way to verify what’s below before inspection, maintenance, repair, or construction begins.
It is also commonly used ahead of CCTV storm sewer inspection projects to expose stormwater structures, vaults, and utility crossings while reducing the risk of underground conflicts.
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 damaging critical lines. It’s commonly used for utility daylighting, potholing, and verification before boring, trenching, or excavation begins. - You need precise excavation in tight, congested, or sensitive work areas
Ideal for utility crossings, intersections, urban corridors, industrial facilities, and congested underground environments where accuracy and minimal disruption are critical. - Ground conditions make traditional mechanical excavation risky or inefficient
Hydro excavation works safely in unstable soil, rocky material, frozen ground, or areas with unknown utility depths where traditional excavation could cause damage. - You’re working in paved, landscaped, or finished areas where minimizing damage is important
The controlled process reduces surface disruption, lowers restoration costs, and helps protect asphalt, concrete, sidewalks, curbs, and landscaping. - Your project specifications, municipality, or utility owner require non-destructive excavation methods
Hydro excavation is often specified for utility verification, municipal infrastructure, pipeline work, and other projects that require safety, compliance, and protection of utilities.
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. However, utility locates are approximate and mark a tolerance zone rather than an exact line. That’s why hydro excavation is used to verify the actual location of the utility before digging begins.
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.
Equipment Used for Hydro Excavation
Mid-State uses Vactor HXX and Vactor 2100 hydro excavators for precise, non-destructive excavation around buried utilities and underground infrastructure.
- High-pressure water loosens soil without mechanical digging
- Powerful vacuum recovery removes slurry, spoil, and excavated material from the work area
- Supports utility daylighting, potholing, slot trenching, and controlled excavation
- Helps reduce the risk of damaging gas, electric, telecom, fiber optic, water, and stormwater infrastructure
- Built for utility, municipal, construction, roadway, and industrial excavation support
Best for: Hydro excavation, utility daylighting, potholing, slot trenching, utility verification, trench cleanup, confined-area excavation, and underground infrastructure support.
Service Areas
Mid-State Industrial provides hydro excavation services throughout Oregon and the surrounding region and can dispatch crews and equipment to Southwest Washington, Western Idaho, Northern California, and other service areas as needed.
Portland Metro
Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties
Salem & Mid-Willamette Valley
Marion, Polk & surrounding counties
Eugene & Springfield
Lane County & surrounding areas
Bend & Central Oregon
Deschutes County & Central Oregon communities
Roseburg & Southern Oregon
Douglas, Jackson, Josephine & surrounding counties
Eastern Oregon
Statewide dispatch 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.