Hydrovac Services

Hydrovac Services

Turning Point Surveys provides hydrovac (hydro excavation) services as part of our integrated field operations offering. Hydrovac is the safest and most precise method of non-destructive digging — using pressurized water and a powerful vacuum to excavate soil while leaving buried utilities, structures, and sensitive ground conditions intact.

Combining hydrovac with our in-house line locating and survey capabilities means TPS can provide a fully coordinated, one-source solution for utility daylighting, subsurface investigation, and buried infrastructure exposure — reducing risk, improving safety, and minimizing the coordination burden on your project team.

What Hydrovac Is Used For

Hydrovac is the preferred excavation method wherever buried utilities, tight tolerances, or ground sensitivity make conventional digging unsafe or impractical.

Utility daylighting and potholing
Pipeline crossing exposures
Slot trenching for new utility installations
Subsurface investigation and soil sampling
Cold-weather and frozen ground excavation
Debris removal and catch basin cleaning

Non-Destructive Excavation

Unlike mechanical excavation, hydrovac removes material with pressurized water — safely exposing buried utilities without the risk of striking or damaging pipes, cables, conduits, or other infrastructure.

Integrated with Line Locating

Our line locating crews work in direct coordination with our hydrovac operations — ensuring accurate pre-locate before excavation begins, reducing risk and improving efficiency on every pothole.

All-Season Capability

Our hot-water hydrovac units can excavate in frozen ground conditions — essential for year-round operations in Northern Alberta and across Canada's north, where frozen soil depth can exceed several metres.

Safety-First Operations

All hydrovac operations are conducted in accordance with our COR-certified safety program, Alberta One-Call requirements, and client-specific site safety plans — protecting workers, the public, and buried infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hydrovac excavation and how does it work?

Hydrovac (hydro excavation) uses a high-pressure water jet to break up and liquefy soil, which is then removed by a powerful industrial vacuum into a debris tank on the truck. The result is a clean, precise excavation with no mechanical bucket contact — making it the safest method for exposing buried utilities and working in sensitive areas.

Can hydrovac work in frozen ground?

Yes. Our hydrovac units are equipped with hot-water systems that can thaw and excavate frozen ground effectively — a critical capability in Northern Alberta where frost depth in winter can reach 2 metres or more. Hot-water hydrovac allows year-round utility exposure and potholing regardless of ground temperature.

Do you provide line locating before hydrovac work?

Yes — this is one of our major advantages as a one-source provider. Our line locating crews use electromagnetic detection and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to identify and mark utilities before any excavation begins. This pre-locate data directly informs our hydrovac operations, significantly reducing strike risk.

Where is the excavated spoil taken?

Excavated spoil is vacuumed directly into the hydrovac truck's debris tank and removed from site. Disposal is handled in compliance with applicable environmental regulations — we can coordinate disposal to an approved facility or return material to backfill an excavation depending on project requirements.