Safer, smarter vacuum excavation for industrial & commercial sites
Serving businesses across Arizona, Bunney’s Inc. delivers hydrovac (vacuum) excavation that exposes utilities and removes soil with precision no picks, no bucket strikes, and far less restoration. Our operators pair high-pressure water with powerful vacuum systems to “soft-dig” around gas, power, fiber, water, and sewer lines while keeping your schedule moving and your site compliant.
New to Bunney’s? Learn who we are and explore our capabilities.
Why Bunney’s for hydrovac
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Utility-first safety. Potholing/daylighting performed to spec with positive verification—before any mechanical digging.
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Experienced crews & modern trucks. High CFM blowers, heated water options, long-reach hoses for tight or remote access.
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Full scope support. Traffic control, trench shoring where required, SWPPP/BMPs, and photo-documented locates.
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Clean sites & proper disposal. Spoils/slurry contained, manifested, and disposed per local requirements.
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Smooth coordination. 811 ticketing support, pre-task plans (JSA), and daily reporting to keep stakeholders aligned.
What hydrovac excavation is and how it works
Hydrovac uses pressurized water to loosen soil while a vacuum boom lifts the slurry into a debris tank. Because the process is non-destructive, it’s ideal for congested utility corridors, unknown subsurface conditions, and sites with sensitive infrastructure.
Typical workflow
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Utility locates & site walk
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Set work zone/traffic control and BMPs
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Soft-dig target area (pothole/daylight)
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Verify utility type, depth, and alignment
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Slot trench or area excavation as specified
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Manage spoils, backfill/restore, document
Where hydrovac fits best
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Utility daylighting/potholing: Positive identification of gas, power, fiber, water, reclaimed, and sewer.
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Slot trenching: Narrow, accurate trenches for conduit banks, service drops, and irrigation with minimal surface disruption.
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Foundations & pads (select areas): Proofing around known utilities before drilling or setting forms.
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Valve boxes, catch basins, culverts: Targeted debris removal and cleaning.
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Remote or constrained sites: Long hose runs reduce surface impact where equipment access is limited.
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Monsoon & winter conditions: Controlled excavation keeps production moving when soils are saturated or compacted.
Arizona-focused best practices
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Caliche & desert soils: We tailor water pressure and tooling to break cemented layers without damaging utilities.
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Dust & erosion control: Water management, stabilized ingress/egress, and silt controls protect neighboring properties.
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Rapid drying climate: Sequenced excavation/backfill to prevent shrink cracks or voids after exposure.
Safety, quality & compliance
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Lockout/Tagout where applicable and energized utility protocols.
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OSHA Subpart P awareness for trench safety when excavation extends beyond potholes.
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Documentation: Depth shots, stationing, and photo logs included in turnover packages.
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Environmental stewardship: Spoils containment, vacuum tank integrity checks, and compliant disposal plans.
Ready to plan your project? Get a site walk and budgetary estimate from our paving team.
Planning, pricing & scheduling what affects your cost
Hydrovac productivity (and cost) depends on: soil type (sand, clay, caliche), access and hose length, depth/diameter, traffic control needs, groundwater, and slurry disposal distance. We provide clear, line-item proposals and can work hourly or unit-price depending on scope.
When to choose hydrovac vs. mechanical digging
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Choose hydrovac to avoid utility strikes, reduce restoration, or excavate in congested corridors and sensitive facilities.
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Choose mechanical for bulk, open excavation with verified clearances and ample working room.
Many projects use both—hydrovac to verify, mechanical to mass-excavate.
FAQs
What’s the difference between potholing and daylighting?
They’re often used interchangeably. Both mean exposing a utility to confirm its exact location, depth, and alignment before construction continues.
How far can you reach from the truck?
Long hose runs let us work dozens of feet from the unit. Productivity decreases with distance, so we plan staging to maximize efficiency.
What happens to the slurry/spoils?
We contain all spoils in the debris tank and dispose of them at an approved facility or recondition for backfill when allowed by spec and jurisdiction.
Do you handle 811 and permits?
Yes— we coordinate with the GC/owner to ensure the call-before-you-dig ticket is active and assist with work zone/encroachment permits where required.
Is hydrovac safe near high-pressure gas and energized lines?
Yes—when performed by trained crews using appropriate pressure, standoff, and non-conductive tools. We follow utility owner procedures and maintain safe clearances.
Can you work during monsoon season?
We can. Expect extra controls for runoff, access, and spoil handling. We’ll sequence work to manage water and maintain productivity.
Will you backfill after excavation?
We can backfill, compact, and restore surfaces (aggregate, asphalt, or concrete) to owner or AHJ standards upon request.
