Aging infrastructure, tighter budgets, and growing populations are putting new pressures on sewer systems across the western United States. Keeping lines flowing is about much more than emergency digs; it’s about smarter inspections, nondestructive cleaning, and trenchless repair techniques that minimize disruption and risk. Whether you’re a municipal crew, utility contractor, or industrial facility, the right plan and right tools can help you do more with fewer shutdowns and fewer surprises.
At Ditch Witch West, we back that plan with our specialized equipment and 24/7 expert product support. When it’s time to assess, clean, or rehab sewer lines, your team can move forward with confidence.
Step 1: Look Before You Dig
Every sewer maintenance project starts with visibility. Closed-circuit crawler cameras and push systems help crews pinpoint intrusions, offsets, root infiltration, or sags before you ever roll a vac or schedule a liner. For push-camera work and quick diagnostics, explore Hathorn Inspection Cameras, durable, jobsite-friendly tools perfect for surveying drainlines and performing spot checks.
For deeper condition assessments, Subsite Inspection Systems provide a full suite of transporters, cameras, and vehicle-mounted solutions that scale from laterals to mainline crawlers. Plus, software and locators keep your team efficient and accurate.
Step 2: Clean Safely with Vacuum Excavation
When it comes time to expose laterals, clean valve boxes, or remove debris in and around structures, vacuum excavation gives you precision without the risks of mechanical digging near live utilities. Your crew can choose between hydro and air excavation, depending on soil conditions and restoration goals:
- Air Excavation: Uses compressed air to loosen soil. Material stays dry, making backfill simple and cost-effective. It’s an ideal solution near delicate utilities and when spoils reuse matters.
- Hydro Excavation: Applies pressurized water to cut through soils and create a slurry for rapid removal. This is usually the fastest option across varied conditions.
Explore your options for vacuum excavators, including hydro and air excavators, trailer vacs, truck vacs, mud vacs, and specialized series.
Step 3: Repair with Trenchless Methods to Minimize Disruptions
Open-cut replacement isn’t always practical in streets, campuses, or sensitive environments. Trenchless rehabilitation lets you fix the pipe and keep traffic moving.
- CIPP Lining (Lateral and Main Line): Reinforce aging pipe from the inside and restore structural integrity without major excavation.
- Pipe Bursting: Replace brittle or undersized host pipe with new pipe along the same alignment.
- Reinstatement and Cleaning Tools: After lining, efficiently reopen service connections and mill remaining obstructions.
Take a look at the range of solutions we offer, including HammerHead equipment, which covers CIPP systems, pipe bursting gear, winches, reinstatement tools, and more.
Keep Crews Moving with Parts, Service and Unmatched Expertise
Equipment uptime matters almost as much as the gear itself. Ditch Witch West offers 24/7 service, extensive parts availability, and skilled technicians who understand trenchless and sewer applications inside and out. Pair this with on- or off-site training to standardize best practices across your team.
How to Get Started
With Ditch Witch West locations across the western U.S., you’re never far from expert help and the machines you need. Connect with your nearest store to schedule demos, compare models, or line up training for your next project.
