April is National Safe Digging Month: Why You Should Care A s the days get longer and the temperature begins to rise, spring signals the start of the construction season. Whether you're planning a home renovation, landscaping project, or commercial construction, one thing remains constant: safety. And when it comes to digging, safety isn't just about following the right protocols above ground – it's about what lies beneath our feet. This April, National Safe Digging Month serves as a crucial reminder to dig with care and be mindful of the unseen dangers lurking below the surface. What is National Safe Digging Month? Established in 2007 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), National Safe Digging Month is an annual initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of underground safety. With millions of miles of utilities running beneath our feet, digging without knowledge can lead to accidents that disrupt not only your project but also the surrounding community. Why You Should Care: The Hidden Dangers Below D id you know that there are over 20 million miles of underground utilities across the United States? From power lines and pipelines to telecommunications cables and sewer systems, these critical networks keep our daily lives running smoothly. However, because they’re hidden below ground, they often go unnoticed until something goes wrong. 

When it comes to installing underground utilities, there’s a more advanced and efficient method that has been gaining traction: boring. Also known as horizontal directional drilling (HDD) or directional boring, this technique is a more advanced method of installing underground utilities. It used for a number of applications, including installing drainage and sewer systems and drilling under sensitive ecosystems, It’s faster, less disruptive, and, in many cases, more cost-effective than traditional methods like trenching. But what exactly is boring, and why has become such a popular choice for utility contractors? What Is Boring? Boring is a specialized method used to install utilities beneath the earth’s surface. Instead of digging up large sections of ground or concrete, like traditional trenching methods, boring uses specialized drilling equipment to create underground pathways. The beauty of boring lies in its precision and efficiency. It’s particularly useful in areas where traditional trenching would be difficult or environmentally damaging. The contractor drills a series of boreholes along a planned route, allowing utility lines to be installed without the need for extensive excavation or surface disruption. However, the first step in the process is to locate existing utilities before the pilot hole is drilled. Next, the reamer is pulled through the hole to widen it out to the correct size. Once completed, the pipe (HDPE pipe) can be pulled through the hole to the end point. After the installation is done, site cleanup and restoration are performed. Advantages of Boring Boring offers distinct benefits that make it an ideal solution for specific projects. Here’s why more utility contractors are choosing boring over conventional methods: 1. Potential for Lower Costs One of the most significant advantages of boring is the potential for cost savings. Traditional trenching often requires demolition of existing structures, such as sidewalks, buildings, and roads. In contrast, boring requires minimal surface disruption, reducing the need for expensive restoration work. By avoiding the need to dig large trenches or destroy existing infrastructure, contractors can keep project costs down, making boring a more budget-friendly option in many cases. 2. Ideal for Complex Properties Properties with complex landscapes, such as steep hills, rocky terrain, or dense vegetation, are perfect candidates for boring. Trenching in these types of environments can be challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. With boring, contractors can drill through obstacles like boulders, hills, and difficult slopes without the need for extensive excavation or time-consuming trenching work. 3. Better for the Environment Another major advantage of boring is its minimal environmental impact. Unlike trenching, which can disturb large sections of land, boring enables utility installation beneath trees, streams, ponds, and wetlands without environmental damage. The technique can also avoid disruption to lawns and gardens, reducing the need for costly surface restoration after the project is completed. 4. Lower Risks Safety is always a top priority in construction, and boring has several inherent safety advantages over traditional trenching. Trenching can pose significant risks, such as cave-ins, flooding, and groundwater contamination. These risks are drastically reduced with boring, which is a safer and more reliable method, especially in specific circumstances. Boring or Horizontal directional drilling is transforming how utilities are installed. With its ability to reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, and offer safer and more efficient solutions in complex environments, it’s no wonder that this method is becoming more popular among utility contractors. So, if you’re planning a utility installation project and need a solution that’s cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and reliable, boring is the perfect choice. At DVUC, we have the experience and equipment to provide quick and efficient boring for a variety of projects. Contact us today learn how we can help make your project run smoothly!

It’s hard to believe it’s the end of 2024! We are grateful for another great year. There have been many projects was involved

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, employees of Empire Group eagerly gear up for one of the highlights of the season: the Annual Fishing Rodeo and Picnic. This beloved tradition brings together staff and their families for a day filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. This year’s event was held on Saturday, October 12th at the picturesque farm of Todd and Karen O’Neill, and truly captured the essence of camaraderie and enjoyment making it a memorable outing for all involved.

When we think of utility repair, we think of a bursting water main at a busy intersection. While utility companies do repair them, they also do a lot more. You can find a utility crew installing an electric service, repairing a gas line, fusing a pipe or replacing a sewer pipe. DVUC tackles these jobs at a variety of job sites, especially residential developments. At these job sites, minimal disruption to properties and traffic flow is crucial to a successful project. Let's take a look at few of them. Giving a Boost to a Senior Residential Development Discover how DVUC transforms utility installation for developments! Recently, our skilled New Jersey crew installed 343 feet of 35kv 1/0 primary wire in a senior residential development in Manchester, New Jersey. Check out the photos below showcasing our team in action. At left, a team member uses a locator to ensure the drill underground is at the correct depth avoiding any underground utilities. At right, a team member watches the rod go through the catch hole as it drills through the ground towards the final destination.

In the modern world, it's easy to take the utilities industry for granted. Yet, behind the scenes, there lies a complex network fraught with dangers that often go unnoticed by the average consumer. From electrical hazards to environmental risks, the utilities sector presents a myriad of challenges that demand attention and action. Let’s take a look at the top four jobsite risks and hazards in the utilities industry.

It's hard to believe that spring is here! DVUC completed a variety of utility projects this winter in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Each one required a strategic solution to achieve successful results. Let’s take a look at some project highlights from our New Jersey team. Installing an Electric Service Our skilled technicians can take care of any pipe or cable installation quickly and efficiently with minimal disruption to the surrounding area. We recently installed a new electric service in a rural development. Our crew utilized F5 locating equipment to ensure accuracy and the horizontal directional drill to bore a path to the determined location.

It’s hard to believe it’s the end of 2023! We are grateful for another great year. There have been many projects we have been involved in, and we are proud of the services we have provided to our customers. Below are some project highlights from this year.

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) has gained popularity across many industries allowing greater durability and accuracy. Costs are reduced since there is no need for large crews, road closures, multiple machines, and restoration. HDD offers the flexibility needed for today’s utility projects, especially when pipes must be run under a driveway, road, culvert, sidewalk, river or wetlands. We recently installed a sanitary force main for a new apartment complex in Manchester, New Jersey, where the pipe ran along the shoulder of a road.