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Clean-up after repair
We perform more than 1,700 excavations annually to repair or maintain valves, water mains, water pipes and hydrants.

• During some repair or maintenance work, it is necessary to leave planks, plywood, signage or barricades on the excavation site even though the job has been completed. In these cases, the items remain for safety reasons because the material to complete the backfill may not be immediately available.

Excavation maintenance

• Boulevard excavations are mounded slightly with extra soil in anticipation of ground settlement.
• Excessive settlement may be the result of soil and/or seasonal conditions. Report these locations to 311 for maintenance.
• Public sidewalks, roadways and boulevards are cleaned up after an excavation has occurred.
• Seasonal conditions may prevent clean-up in a timely manner.
• We maintain excavations until final restoration can be completed by the Public Works Department.

Boulevard flood tamping

• Flood tamping activities occur from May to September.
• In Spring, when the ground has thawed, crews go to every boulevard excavation and force water into them to help compact the ground and to prevent further sinkage.
• Crews will add mud if required.
• After tamping, crews will pack and square up the excavation.
• Boulevard excavation locations are then passed to the Public Works Department for final restoration.

Who should you call to inquire about an excavation?
Contact 311.