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Do I need to call Texas 811 before hydro excavation?
Yes. Texas law requires excavators to notify Texas 811 at least 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, before digging, including hydro excavation. Within the tolerance zone, the marked facility width plus 18 inches on each side, careful methods like hydrovac are used to expose lines. Pipeline excavation also falls under Railroad Commission of Texas damage-prevention rules.
Key facts
- Locate request: Excavator
- Wait for marks: Facility operators
- Tolerance zone: Excavator / hydrovac crew
- Pipeline rules: Excavator and operator
- Requests taken from Midland County, Ector County, Andrews County, Martin County, Howard County, Ward County and nearby
Cost ranges on this site are general estimates compiled from published industry pricing guides and typical regional ranges for this kind of work. They are not quotes. Only the independent provider who reviews your project can confirm a price, and real prices can fall outside these ranges.
Free matching service by Voraus LLC: We connect property owners and businesses in Midland, TX (Midland, Odessa, Gardendale and Greenwood, Andrews, Stanton, Big Spring, Monahans, Kermit, Crane, Pecos) with independent local hydro-excavation contractors. We are not a hydro-excavation contractor and do not perform the work. Request a match below or call (432) 319-6741.
Key damage-prevention steps (confirm current rules)
| Step | What it requires | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Locate request | Notify Texas 811 before excavation | Excavator |
| Wait for marks | Operators mark lines or respond | Facility operators |
| Tolerance zone | Facility width + 18 in. each side; careful digging | Excavator / hydrovac crew |
| Pipeline rules | RRC damage-prevention requirements for pipelines | Excavator and operator |
Why hydrovac is used in tolerance zones
Hydro excavation uses pressurized water and vacuum to remove soil without the teeth of a bucket, lowering the chance of striking a buried line. It's common for verifying pipelines and utilities before trenching or boring.
Unmarked or abandoned lines
Permian Basin sites can have old flowlines and unmarked lines. If anything unexpected is found, stop and notify the operator.
Before the crew arrives
- Locate ticket number and expiration.
- Site map with marked lines.
- Operator contacts and standby requirements.
- Water source and disposal plan.
Common questions: texas 811 & dig rules in Midland, TX
Does hydro excavation need a locate ticket?
Yes. It's still excavation under Texas law, so a valid Texas 811 ticket is needed.
Who calls 811, me or the hydrovac company?
The excavator responsible for the digging, which may be you or your contractor. Agree in writing who holds the ticket.
What is a pothole?
A small test hole that exposes a buried line to confirm its location and depth.
Related Midland hydro-excavation guides & pages
- Daylighting & Utility Potholing
- Slot Trenching & Pipeline Crossings
- Tank Cleanout, Drilling Pits & Industrial Vac
- Emergency Line Strikes, Valve Boxes & Culverts
- Hydrovac Cost per Hour
- Cost by Job Type
- How to Choose a Hydrovac Provider
- Seasonal & Weather
- Caliche & Soil Notes
- Hydrovac vs. Air Vacuum
- Job Prep Checklist
- All hydro-excavation services in Midland, TX
- Service area & local counties (Midland region)
- Frequently asked questions & hiring checklist
About this service and where our numbers come from
Who runs it: MidlandHydroExcavation.com is a free referral and matching service operated by Voraus LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company. We are not a hydro-excavation contractor and we don't perform any work.
How matching works: you describe your job once, and we match you with an available independent local hydro-excavation contractor who fits it based on project type, size and location, so you skip calling around. That provider contacts you, quotes the job and contracts with you directly. We don't inspect, license, rate or guarantee providers, and providers may pay us a referral fee.
Where cost ranges come from: Cost ranges on this site are general estimates compiled from published industry pricing guides and typical regional ranges for this kind of work. They are not quotes. Only the independent provider who reviews your project can confirm a price, and real prices can fall outside these ranges.
Ready to get your hydro-excavation project moving?
Even a brief request helps: "Pothole 6 crossings on a gathering line north of Midland, Martin County, next week, operator requires hydrovac within 24 inches."