Page 7 - AR811

Finding another way
According to Williamson, “Ideally,
each type of utility would have its own designated area and run parallel to each other. However, that is not usually the case. We have numerous utilities that run throughout the county at similar depths and are located just a few feet (meters) away from our water and sewer lines. Fiber lines are often positioned on top of our own lines, so when we need to perform repairs, we have to navigate around them. Since each leak is unique, it’s beneficial to have a range of options to choose from.
So, BCWA began exploring alternative digging methods several years ago to reduce utility damage during repairs and restoration work.
“We needed a more
precise digging method,
and we found the
solution in Madison
County, where horizontal
directional drilling
(HDD) crews were using
vacuum excavators to
verify utility locates
before drilling. The
use of small holes
and minimal ground
disturbance made us
realize the benefits of incorporating soft digging methods into our operations.”
While HDD crews use vacuum excavators for potholing, the BCWA team believed they could also use
them to help avoid extra work when repairing water lines. So, in 2017, BCWA purchased a Vermeer® VX50 vacuum excavator equipped with a 4-in (10.2- cm) suction hose, a 1,025-cfm (29-m3/ min) blower, and a 500-gal (1,893-liter) debris tank. This model is well-suited for the yazoo clay ground conditions in Madison County and the average depths of buried utilities, which range from 3 ft to 6 ft (.9 m to 1.8 m) deep.
Now when there is a water line leak, BCWA follows a systematic process for efficient repairs. They start by calling 811, the utility locating service. A team member assesses the problem and shuts off the valves to stop the water flow. While waiting for locates, the team determines the necessary equipment, including the vacuum excavator for areas with multiple underground utilities. Time is crucial once the
water valve is shut off, as the water supply to properties has been cut off.
The team works quickly to minimize inconvenience to customers and prevent damage to other utilities.
The importance of the vacuum excavator in this process becomes evident. Using it has helped the BCWA team efficiently excavate without damaging other utilities and minimizing the risk of service disruptions.
Efficient repair process
The BCWA team utilizes a vacuum excavator to dig around utilities. This approach helps to minimize the size
having to pile dirt next to the hole.”
Furthermore, using a vacuum excavator provides a more efficient and less physically demanding method and the need for manual labor with shovels. This decision aligns with Bear Creek’s commitment to delivering cost savings to its customers.
Another machine in the fleet
The team still utilizes trackhoes and mini excavators for a large portion of the repairs they make. But the Vermeer vacuum excavator has earned its spot in
BCWA’s equipment fleet, too.
According to Williamson, the vacuum excavator
is not used daily but is regularly employed for potholing utilities and excavating areas where traditional digging methods are challenging.
He explains, “The vacuum excavator does not replace the mini excavator but serves
a different purpose. It can do things that a mini excavator cannot do. They are two complementary pieces
that help us find the best, quickest, and cheapest way to make a repair.”
Williamson also acknowledges the initial learning curve, stating, “In
the early stages, we had a lot more questions than we do now, and the
team at Vermeer MidSouth assisted us every step of the way. They ensured that our staff knew how to use the vacuum excavator and continue to support our service and parts needs to this day.”
Growing need for vacuum excavators
Vacuum excavators are not only beneficial for rural water systems like BCWA, but also for many municipal systems, according to Williamson. With the increasing number of utilities being placed underground, Williamson believes a vacuum excavator should be part of the fleets of municipalities and rural water associations.
Over the past few decades, there have been significant changes in labor, parts, and material costs, as well as increased public scrutiny of water outages. As a result, having a specialized machine like a vacuum excavator is important
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2024, Issue 2 Arkansas 811 Magazine • 5
of the repair working area and helps maintain a cleaner site. By using this method, the team has been able to eliminate the need to repour driveways, resod yards and incur additional costs from damaging nearby utility lines in certain situations.
When digging, BCWA’s crew sets the water pressure at 3000 PSI (206 bar). This pressure is typically sufficient for extracting and loosening up the soil without causing damage to any underground utilities. The material is suctioned into the debris tank and hauled off.
“Most of the material we excavate can be reused once it’s dried since we’re only digging with water,” said Williamson. “That can take some time to dry it out, so we bring in dry material to refill the hole. While the process of bringing
in other dirt to fill a hole may seem
like an extra step, using the Vermeer vacuum excavator helps us minimize
the hole size, so we don’t deal with a lot of material in most cases. Bringing in
a little bit of extra dirt is more cost- effective than incurring restoration costs by using larger equipment and