Hydrovac questions, Bakersfield
How hydro excavation works, what the 811 rules ask of you, and what to expect from quotes in Kern County.
General guidance, not legal or engineering advice. Your 811 ticket and the operator have the final word.
Method and 811 notice
The methodWhat is hydro excavation?
Hydro excavation, or hydrovac, digs with pressurized water and a high-powered vacuum. The water breaks up the soil and the vacuum lifts the slurry into a debris tank on the truck. Nothing hard touches the pipe or cable, which is why it is a common way to expose buried utilities without damaging them.
Live linesCan hydrovac dig near gas lines and other live utilities?
Yes. Exposing live lines is a common reason to use it, because water and suction do not strike the pipe the way a bucket, auger or digging bar can. The line owner may set its own conditions, such as a standby during exposure, so name the utilities involved when you ask for quotes.
DepthHow deep can hydro excavation go?
It depends on the truck, the hose and the ground. Tell operators the depth you expect the line to be at, and they will say whether their equipment reaches it.
811Do I need a USA North 811 ticket before hydrovac work in Kern County?
Yes. California Government Code 4216 requires notice to the regional one-call center before excavating, and USA North 811 is the center for Kern County. Call at least 2 working days before you dig, not counting the day you call, and no more than 14 calendar days ahead. Hydrovac digging is still excavation, so the ticket comes first.
Counting daysHow do I count the notice days?
Count working days, Monday to Friday, starting the day after you call. The day you call does not count. If you call on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are your two working days and you can dig from Thursday. Do not call more than 14 calendar days before the start date, and if a holiday falls in the window, call a working day earlier. The planner on our service pages does the counting for you.
TicketsHow long is an 811 ticket valid?
A California ticket is generally good for 28 days from the day it is issued. If the work runs longer, renew it before it expires. Check the dates on your own ticket, since that is what counts on site.
RenewingHow do I renew an 811 ticket?
Contact USA North 811 before the ticket runs out and ask to renew it, and do not let the date pass while the work is still open. USA North 811 and your ticket set the details, including what changes if the work area moves, so confirm them when you call.
Marks, permits, price and operators
PaintWhat do the locate paint colors mean?
Locators follow a common color code: red for electric power, yellow for gas, oil and steam, orange for telecom and fiber, blue for drinking water, green for sewer and storm drain, purple for reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry, pink for temporary survey marks, and white for the proposed excavation. The paint shows the approximate path of a line on the surface, not how deep it is.
PermitsDo I need a permit to dig in a public street in Bakersfield?
Usually, if the hole is in a public street or highway. The permit comes from whoever owns the road: the City of Bakersfield, Kern County or Caltrans. Requirements differ by road and agency, so ask the owner before you book a crew, and give the operator the permit conditions and hours. The 811 ticket is separate and still applies.
CostHow much does hydrovac cost in Bakersfield?
There is no standard price list. Operators may price by the hour or the day, often with a minimum, or by the hole for simple potholing, then add travel, water and slurry disposal. Send the hole count, depth, surface and access, and you will get quotes you can compare line by line.
Versus diggingIs hydrovac cheaper than digging with a backhoe?
It depends on the job, and we cannot give a general answer. Hydrovac is typically chosen to protect buried lines rather than to save money. Ask operators to quote the job, and an alternative method if you want one, then compare.
SlurryWhere does the slurry go?
Hydro excavation spoil comes out as wet slurry in the truck's debris tank, and it has to be taken somewhere. Disposal is usually its own line in a quote, and operators know which facilities will accept it. Ask where yours will go, especially if the site is an oil lease or the material may be contaminated.
TimingHow fast will I hear back?
It depends on which operators are free. We pass requests on as they arrive. If it is urgent, choose Emergency / same-day exposure on the form and also message us on WhatsApp so the request is seen quickly.
Who we areAre you the hydrovac company?
No. Bakersfield Hydrovac is a quote-request service. We do not own trucks or dig. We pass your request to independent, licensed and insured hydrovac operators who work in Kern County, and they quote and contract with you directly. Requesting quotes is free.
