Excavation is a foundational component of construction, development, and infrastructure projects throughout British Columbia. Whether you’re preparing a commercial site for utilities, digging drainage pathways, or exposing existing infrastructure, the way you excavate matters. The right method can ensure safety, minimize delays, and keep you compliant with local regulations. The wrong one? That can cost you thousands and slow down your project by weeks.

For many contractors in the Fraser Valley, traditional mechanical excavation where using backhoes, mini-excavators, or skid steers has been the default. But over the past decade, hydrovac excavation has grown in popularity, and for good reason. At ACE Tank Services, we’ve worked with countless clients across Langley, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, and Surrey who initially questioned the need for hydrovac, only to later realize it was exactly what their site needed.

So how do you know when it’s time to call in a hydrovac crew? Here are five signs your project demands a safer, more precise, and regulation-friendly approach.

1. You’re Digging Near Underground Utilities

If your project requires excavation near power, gas, water, or communication lines, hydrovac is often the only safe option. Traditional mechanical digging tools carry a risk of damaging underground infrastructure. A single accidental strike to a gas line or fiber optic cable could result in:

• Service disruptions
  
• Expensive repairs
  
• Project delays
  
• Legal and financial liability
  
• Serious safety risks for workers and the public
  

Hydrovac offers a non-destructive solution. Using pressurized water to loosen the soil and a vacuum system to remove it, crews can safely expose (“daylight”) utilities without the risk of striking them. This process is recognized across Canada as the safest method for working near buried assets.

In fact, many municipalities in the Lower Mainland now require hydrovac for all utility locating or daylighting operations. It has extended beyond a best practice and become a compliance issue.

To see how hydrovac protects both infrastructure and your timeline, check out our blog: Why Underground Hydrovac Services Are Superior for Utility Location.

2. Your Site Has Tight Access or Sensitive Terrain

Construction doesn’t always happen in wide-open spaces. Often, you’re working behind buildings, in laneways, on landscaped commercial properties, or in urban zones with restricted movement. Traditional excavation equipment is bulky, heavy, and may be entirely impractical for these environments.

Hydrovac offers a remote-access solution that reduces damage to surrounding surfaces and eliminates the need to bring heavy machinery onto sensitive ground. With hoses extending 30–60 feet or more, operators can excavate at a distance from the truck. That means you can work behind fences, on private residential lots, near trees, or inside active facilities without disturbing the surroundings.

This is especially useful in:

• Residential utility installs in backyards or alleys
  
• Commercial jobs with finished landscaping
  
• Parking lot trenching where pavement must remain intact
  
• Work near delicate roots, retaining walls, or heritage features
  

ACE crews regularly perform protected-area hydrovac excavations that allow our clients to meet both environmental and access requirements—without compromising speed or accuracy.

3. The Soil Is Frozen, Saturated, or Contaminated

British Columbia’s diverse geography and climate make soil conditions unpredictable. In winter, the ground freezes hard. In spring, runoff saturates the soil. In urban zones, old fill may contain debris or even contamination. Each of these factors poses a challenge for traditional digging methods.

Hydrovac excavation is uniquely suited to overcome these conditions. Most modern trucks are equipped with heated water systems, including our own. This allows us to thaw and remove frozen soil without resorting to manual labor or heavy impact tools. The pressurized water softens the earth, and the vacuum immediately removes the slurry into an onboard holding tank. No mess, no frost delays, no compromised safety.

Hydrovac is also ideal for projects dealing with:

• Wet clay or sticky soils
  
• Contaminated earth requiring sealed containment
  
• Mixed fill that includes rubble, rock, or broken concrete
  

Because all excavated material is vacuumed directly into the truck, you also benefit from a cleaner site with reduced runoff and fewer environmental compliance issues.

4. Precision and Minimal Overdigging Are Required

In many excavation projects it’s about how precisely you can do it. Whether you’re installing signposts, connecting utilities, or trenching in narrow corridors, accuracy is key.

Unfortunately, mechanical equipment removes more soil than necessary even if it’s operated carefully. This overdigging leads to increased backfill costs, longer restoration time, and potential instability in surrounding areas.

Hydrovac eliminates that problem. With the ability to excavate only the volume needed, crews can work in inches, not feet, keeping the surrounding site untouched. This precision is critical when working near concrete slabs, shallow conduits, or landscaping features that must remain undisturbed.

At ACE, we often support commercial hydrovac trenching in tight quarters for examples such as business courtyards or drive-thrus where clients want efficient, focused digging with minimal follow-up restoration.

5. Local Regulations Restrict Traditional Excavation

One of the biggest shifts in recent years is regulatory. As cities like Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, and Coquitlam tighten environmental and public safety bylaws, more excavation projects are now required to use non-destructive methods in certain zones.

These regulations are often found in:

• Urban infrastructure corridors (e.g., sidewalks, roads, and easements)
  
• Tree protection zones and green belts
  
• Watersheds, riparian areas, or environmentally sensitive lands
  
• Public parks and municipal properties
  
• High-density utility corridors
  

In these cases, it’s about staying compliant and avoiding fines, rework, or stop-work orders in addition to the benefits it offers.

ACE’s experience working with local municipalities means we understand the permit and compliance requirements in each jurisdiction. By using hydrovac, you not only meet the technical requirements but you also keep your project moving forward without administrative roadblocks.

When to Use Hydrovac Excavation

If you answer yes to any of the following, hydrovac is likely your safest and most cost-effective choice:

• Are you digging near buried power, gas, water, or telecom lines?
  
• Is your job site tight, landscaped, or difficult to access with machinery?
  
• Is the soil frozen, saturated, or possibly contaminated?
  
• Does the excavation require exact dimensions or delicate precision?
  
• Do city permits require non-destructive digging in your zone?
  

Hydrovac is no longer a niche service. It’s the go-to solution for projects with tight tolerances, environmental concerns, or municipal oversight.

Cost & Value Comparison: Hydrovac vs Traditional Excavation

Factor	Hydrovac Excavation	Traditional Excavation
Safety near utilities	Excellent	Moderate to high risk
Precision control	High	Low to moderate
Site access flexibility	High (remote operation)	Low (machine access required)
Suitability in frozen/wet soil	Strong	Poor
Environmental impact	Low	High (ground disturbance, noise)
Surface restoration needs	Minimal	Often significant
Hourly rate	Higher	Lower
Total project cost	Often lower due to efficiency	Can escalate due to rework and damage

As you can see, while hydrovac may cost more per hour, it often results in lower total costs when you factor in accuracy, reduced damage, and faster approvals.

For a full breakdown, visit our blog on how much hydrovac costs in the Fraser Valley.

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How ACE Supports Hydrovac Projects Across BC

With more than 40 years in the excavation and liquid waste industry, ACE Tank Services brings expertise and professionalism to every hydrovac project. Our fleet is equipped with the latest technology to handle tough conditions, and our operators are trained in both safety protocols and municipal compliance standards.

We serve clients across the Fraser Valley, including:

• General contractors
  
• Municipal crews
  
• Civil engineers
  
• Commercial property developers
  
• Utility providers
  

In addition to excavation, we offer complementary services like septic tank inspections, storm drain cleaning, and car wash pit pumping, allowing you to bundle essential services with a trusted local provider.

Final Thoughts: Know When It’s Time to Switch Methods

Hydrovac is about choosing the right method for the right job. On sites where safety, precision, or compliance are in play, hydrovac moves from a convenience to a necessity.

If your project involves any of the five conditions we’ve discussed, hydrovac is the only way to move forward confidently.

Ready to Dig Smarter on Your Next Project?

The Fraser Valley is growing and with it, the demand for safer, faster, and more precise excavation methods. 

Hydrovac excavation is the modern solution. It’s non-destructive, environmentally responsible, and approved by municipalities across British Columbia. 

When you work with ACE, you’re choosing a local team that shows up on time, works efficiently, and leaves your site clean and ready for the next phase. We understand the terrain, the regulations, and the expectations that come with every excavation job in the Fraser Valley.

Start your next project with confidence. Contact our team today to request a free quote or to schedule professional hydrovac excavation services. Let’s dig safely and build smarter.