R1124 - Sewer and water trenching, tunnelling, canals

Operational Details
This specialized service is undertaken using excavators, backhoes and earthmoving equipment. A trench is dug on an individual’s property or on public land for the purpose of laying pipe in the open ditch or trench. Once the pipe is laid into place, the trench is covered and graded to fit the contour of the land and grass is planted to avoid soil erosion. A water line trench is narrow, while the sewer line is usually requires a much larger opening.

Farmers also hire trenching services to dig ditches or trenches to lay pipe or lines for agricultural purposes. It may include a sewer line for the removal of animal waste from a dairy barn or a barnyard, or a water line from a well to the barnyard so the animals have drinking water.

The construction of tunnels requires earthmoving machines and when larger ones are required, perhaps an "earth mole". This machine has a large rotating head on the front that grinds dirt and rock, throwing it back so it can be removed by conveyor systems. Uses for this process include light transit rail tunnels, railroad tunnels, etc. Smaller tunnels are dug by a more conventional means, using excavators and bobcats. Timbers or concrete walls may also be erected, but usually is subcontracted out to someone who specializes in this activity.

The construction of canals is similar to building irrigation ditches. With the exception the ditch or opening is much larger and deeper. It requires more time, with larger volumes of earth being moved. This is accomplished by using earth moving machines, turnapulls and caterpillar tractors. A trenching business also provides their own transportation, usually loading the ditcher or excavator onto a flat deck truck or gravel truck . They may also incidentally repair and maintain their equipment.

When a sewer line is dug or dredging is undertaken by an earthmoving employer as only one of many services offered, it is considered incidental to an employer’s overall operations.

SIC Codes
000000660 - Sewer, water trenching, tunneling,