Hydro excavation, also called hydrovac or vacuum excavation, is a non-destructive digging method that combines pressurized water to loosen soil with a high-powered vacuum that removes the slurry. It safely exposes buried utilities for locating, potholing, and trenching with minimal risk of damage. CTS Services brings this precise, damage-preventing dig method to job sites across Arkansas and surrounding states from our Benton headquarters. Most of our work stays inside Arkansas, and when a project calls for it, crews travel into Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Wherever the dig site sits, you talk to someone in Benton, not a national call center.
Our hydro excavation truck pairs a powerful vacuum with a high-pressure water system, which lets one rig handle every phase of a dig.
From a single pothole verifying one crossing to weeks of slot trenching along a new utility corridor, the scope flexes to fit the project. Most of our hydrovac work comes from utility contractors, municipalities and public works departments, oil and gas operations, industrial plants, general contractors, and telecom builders, all sharing one requirement: exposing buried infrastructure without damaging it.
Both methods move dirt; the difference shows up when the dirt hides a live gas line. For open-field bulk earthmoving, mechanical equipment still wins on speed. Anywhere buried utilities are in play, hydrovac digging is the safer choice and usually the cheaper one once strikes, repairs, and restoration are counted.
A single utility strike carries repair bills, downtime, and in the worst cases injuries, and none of those costs appear on the original bid.
If your site needs industrial vacuum truck services, hydroblasting, or tank cleaning alongside excavation, one call covers all of it. You can see the full lineup on our services overview page.
No hydro excavation project is too small, and few are too large for our crews to scope. Tell us where the dig site is, what needs exposing, and when you need it done, and we will send back a free estimate for any location in Arkansas and surrounding states. Estimates are free, pricing stays honest, and the schedule we commit to is one we can keep. Call or text to get your project on the schedule.
Traditional excavation digs with steel buckets that can strike and damage buried lines; hydro excavation digs with pressurized water and vacuum suction instead, so crews can expose live utilities in congested corridors without breaking them.
Yes. Hydro excavation relies on water rather than chemicals, and every bit of soil and slurry is vacuumed straight into a holding tank for controlled disposal, which prevents stockpiled dirt and limits ground disturbance.
Most ground found in Arkansas, including clay, sand, gravel, and heavily compacted soil. With heated, pressurized water, crews can also cut through frozen ground for year-round excavation.
Often, yes, once total project cost is counted. CTS bills hourly, typically $250 to $300 per hour for the truck and operator, and the method prevents expensive utility strikes, trims labor, and reduces surface restoration.
Yes. CTS Services is based in Benton, Arkansas and performs hydro excavation statewide, with most work concentrated in central Arkansas. Crews also travel into Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee as projects require.
"Okay, so if you ever need some serious cleaning, contact CTS and their Vacuum Truck services. Got them to help out after a spill, and wow, they did a magic trick with how fast and clean the job was. And the crew? Top-notch and super friendly. Two thumbs up!"
"We hired the CTS crew over with their Vacuum Truck and I'm blown away. Thought clearing up our site would be a massive headache, but they sucked it all up like it was no big deal. The team was super chill and efficient. Definitely saving their number for the next time!"
"Heard about CTS from a buddy and decided to give them a shot for some hydro-excavation. Best decision ever! They were quick, didn’t mess around, and got the job done right. And shout out to their team for being so chill and answering my million questions. Keep up the good work, folks!"
"Man, the CTS crew knows their stuff! Had them come in for some tank cleaning at our old factory, and they left it looking brand-spanking-new. Those high-pressure water blasters are no joke. Plus, everyone was super friendly and gave some solid advice for maintenance. Will be calling them up again for sure!"
"Recently got CTS on board for some tank cleaning at our place. Not gonna lie, they nailed it! The team was swift, thorough, and the tanks? Never seen them this clean. Major props for their dedication and doing a stellar job."
"Had a chance to work with CTS Services on a hydro-excavation gig, and boy, they know their stuff! The team was on point, the gear looked top-notch, and they made everything look easy. I was genuinely impressed by how they handled that high-pressure water blasting. Looking forward to the next project with them!"
Have questions or need assistance? We're here to help. Simply fill out our contact form below and one of our dedicated team members will respond promptly. Whether you're seeking information, scheduling a service, or providing feedback, your input is valuable to us. Reach out today and let's connect!