When it comes to raising new establishments and creating its underground infrastructure, digging is a crucial aspect of the process. Because traditional methods of excavation often lead to risks to workplace safety, to the construction project itself, and, most importantly, to the environment, there have been more innovative ways to eliminate these risks.
One such way is by performing what’s known as hydro excavation, a highly efficient excavation method that offers much more substantial benefits and advantages compared to traditional excavation especially in terms of environmental welfare. Hydro excavation is a much more eco-friendly alternative that produces an accurate excavation job while keeping the environment risk as low as possible.
So, how is hydro excavation good for the environment? Keep reading below as we keep exploring this more.
What Is Hydro Excavation?
Hydro excavation is known as one of the latest technologies in the soil excavation scene. The hydro excavation process primarily consists of three components: high-pressure water, a vacuum, and a storage tank.
The first step of the hydro excavation process is to create a dirt slurry by spraying high-water pressure on the soil. Once a slurry is created, it is sucked up by a vacuum located on a hydro-vac truck and transported into the truck’s storage tank.
This process is non-destructive and less invasive, which is why it is recognised as the preferred excavation method for many construction projects.
How Is Hydro Excavation Good For The Environment?
There are a couple of reasons why hydro excavation is good for the environment. Below, we elaborate on some of these reasons:
1). Hydro excavation makes use of water under pressure
Traditional methods of excavation often make use of mechanical equipment and tools. This equipment, however, often damages the roots of plants and underground utilities. Additionally, mechanical excavation often makes use of toxic substances and chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
However, hydro excavation only makes use of water under pressure to excavate the soil, It does not use tools or toxic substances that can present danger to the environment. Rather, water is used to create a slurry, extract the soil, and safely store it away.
2). Hydro excavation minimises the risk of damaging underground utilities
Hydro excavation is a non-invasive method of soil removal that does not make use of equipment with sharp edges or metal digging equipment that can damage underground utilities. Because of this, the risks of damaging underground utilities are significantly reduced in comparison to traditional excavation methods. With the advantage of this reduced risk, harmful and toxic substances won’t leak into the soil and create severe environmental consequences in the future.
3). Hydro excavation is more precise
With traditional excavation, there are many situations where you are digging a certain place but are unsure if you are digging in the right place. However, with hydro excavation, the digging process is much more precise, which avoids damage to underground utilities and prevents harmful waste from entering the environment.
4). Hydro excavation performs safe drain cleaning
Cleaning out pipes and sewers has never been easier with hydro excavation. With hydro excavation, pipes and sewers are cleaned out with pressurised water and high power suction to remove all debris. This is an advantage because, one, pipes are less likely to be damaged and seep toxins into the environment, and two, all waste produced during drain cleaning is safely deposited in a container for proper disposal and recycling afterwards.
Generally, hydro excavation is the preferred excavation method for various industries because it is safe, efficient, and precise. Because of this, hydro excavation can carry out excavation jobs without causing unnecessary damage and costly repairs in the future.
For the environment, hydro excavation offers many benefits. As a non-invasive excavation technique, hydro excavation avoids damaging plants and trees, damaging underground utilities, and using equipment that can do more harm than good. With this, hydro excavation is a more eco-friendly alternative for all your excavation needs.