Critical Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors, several of which rely heavily on underground assets: energy (gas and electric), water and wastewater systems, communications, transportation systems, and information technology. Damage to these underground systems during excavation can have cascading effects — a ruptured gas main can cause evacuations and explosions, a severed fiber optic trunk line can disrupt communications for thousands of users, and a broken water main can flood streets and undermine foundations.

Protecting critical infrastructure during excavation is a primary driver of the hydrovac industry. Pipeline operators, electric utilities, telecommunications companies, and water authorities increasingly require or mandate hydrovac excavation for any work near their facilities. Federal regulations such as the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act and PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) rules impose strict requirements for excavation near regulated pipelines.

Hydrovac contractors working near critical infrastructure must follow heightened safety protocols, including detailed pre-job planning, coordination with the infrastructure operator, specialized operator training, emergency response procedures, and strict adherence to the operator's specifications for excavation methods and clearance distances. The consequences of damaging critical infrastructure extend beyond repair costs to include regulatory penalties, service disruption liability, and potential criminal liability.