Underground Utility Services in Oneida County & Central New York
Get It Right Below Ground So Everything Works Above It
Water lines, sewer laterals, storm drains, and utility connections are all installed before the foundation is poured and the driveway is paved. If they are installed incorrectly, the problems show up after everything else is built on top of them. We handle utility trenching, pipe installation, backfill to specification, and compaction for residential, commercial, and municipal projects. Our team is 811-certified and holds an HDPE pipe-welding certification for municipal and industrial piping applications.
Our Underground Utility Services
We handle the full range of underground utility work, from a single residential water line to multi-phase municipal infrastructure. Each service below covers a different scope.
New water service lines, water main connections, sewer lateral installation, sewer line replacement, and sewer tap connections to municipal systems. We trench to the required depth, bed the pipe on proper material, make connections, backfill in lifts, and compact to specification. For emergency water or sewer line breaks, we offer 24-hour response.
High-density polyethylene pipe is the material of choice for municipal water mains, leachate collection systems, industrial process piping, and long-run force mains. HDPE requires certified fusion welding to join sections into a continuous, leak-free pipeline. Our team holds the HDPE pipe welding certification required for this work. No other local excavation contractor in the Central New York market offers this capability.
Storm drain pipe installation, catch basin and manhole structures, stormwater tie-ins to municipal systems, and conveyance piping for detention and retention basins. We handle storm infrastructure for new construction, site redevelopment, and municipal projects that require compliance with stormwater regulations.
Sewer Taps, City Connections & Cleanout Trenching
Connecting a new building or an existing property to a municipal sewer system requires a tap into the main line, lateral pipe installation to the structure, and cleanout placement at specified intervals. We handle the entire connection process, including excavation, pipe installation, inspection coordination, backfill, and surface restoration. We also trench for cleanout installations on existing lines to improve maintenance access.
Larger projects require utility work that goes beyond standard residential scope. We provide excavation support for manhole installation, catch basin setting, lift station construction, and duct bank trenching for electrical and communications conduit. We also handle site utility tie-in coordination on multi-trade projects, making sure each utility is installed in the correct sequence and at the correct depth.
Utility Installation Across Central New York
Underground utility work requires precision, coordination, and strict adherence to depth, bedding, and compaction specifications. A water line buried too shallowly will freeze. A sewer lateral with an incorrect slope will not drain. A storm pipe backfilled without proper compaction will settle and break joints. We treat every utility trench as an engineered installation, not just a ditch with pipe in it.
Hale Excavation is a veteran-owned, licensed, and insured utility contractor with over 35 years of construction experience. Our owner is a certified excavator through the 811 safe digging program and holds an HDPE pipe welding certification, a specialty credential that most local contractors do not carry. We serve homeowners, builders, developers, municipalities, and industrial clients throughout Oneida County, Herkimer County, Madison County, and surrounding communities.
We coordinate with municipal water and sewer departments, local code offices, and other site trades to keep utility work on schedule and in compliance. Free estimates, free second opinions, and free consultations on every utility project.
Not Sure What Utility Work You Need?
Describe the project. We will scope the utility work during a free site visit.
- Building a New Home and Need Water and Sewer Connected
What you likely need: Water service line from the main to the house, sewer lateral from the house to the main or septic system, and possibly a storm drain connection.
Start here: Water & Sewer Lines
- Existing Water or Sewer Line Is Broken or Leaking
What you likely need: Open-trench line replacement or spot repair. If the break is urgent, call for emergency service.
Call us: (315) 982-3673 for same-day or emergency utility repair.
- Municipality or Engineer Specified HDPE Pipe for the Project
What you likely need: Certified HDPE butt fusion or electrofusion welding. This requires specialized equipment and a certified operator.
Start here: HDPE Pipe Fusion
- Commercial or Municipal Project Requires Storm Drainage Infrastructure
What you likely need: Storm pipe installation, catch basin and manhole structures, and tie-ins to the municipal storm system.
Start here: Stormwater Management
- Developer or GC Needs Utility Trenching Coordinated Across Multiple Trades
What you likely need: Full site utility coordination: sequencing, trenching, bedding, pipe installation, backfill to spec, and compaction testing. We work with your plumber, electrician, and municipal inspectors to keep the schedule moving.
Call us: We coordinate multi-trade utility work on commercial and residential sites.
Why Professional Utility Installation Matters
It Keeps People and Existing Infrastructure Safe
Approximately 170,000 underground utilities are damaged each year in the U.S. from improper digging. Our team is 811 certified, which means we follow proper locate protocols before every dig. Certified excavators prevent strikes on existing gas, electric, water, and communication lines that can cause injury, outages, and costly repairs.
It Prevents Failures Years Down the Road
A sewer line that settles at a joint because the trench was not compacted properly will back up. A water line bedded on rocks instead of clean stone will develop cracks. We follow manufacturer and municipal specifications for bedding material, cover depth, and compaction on every trench because shortcuts underground always surface eventually.
It Passes Inspection the First Time
Municipal water and sewer connections require inspection before backfill. If the trench is not built to specification, the inspector will reject it, and the work has to be redone at your expense. We build to code, call for inspection at the right time, and pass on the first attempt.
It Keeps the Whole Project on Schedule
Utility trenching sits on the critical path of almost every construction project. Foundations cannot be poured until water, sewer, and storm connections are in place. Driveways and parking lots cannot be paved until utilities beneath them are installed and compacted. We schedule and complete utility work on time so the trades behind us can stay on track.
Three Decades of Major Project Experience
Hale Excavation LLC is a new venture led by Eric Hale, who brings extensive experience in landfill construction, environmental remediation, road construction, and federal projects. He has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the Air Force, and major environmental firms throughout his career.
1991
Laborer & Surveyor
- Auburn, NY · Cayuga County
Eric returned from the Army to work full-time in construction while staying in the Army Reserves. Joined the apprenticeship program to become a certified operating engineer during this project (completed 1997, a certification he still holds).
1993
Laborer · Surveyor · Heavy Equipment Operator
- Malone, NY · Franklin County
Eric took on expanded field responsibilities on this project, working across three trades: laborer, surveyor, and heavy equipment operator.
1994
Laborer · Surveyor · Heavy Equipment Operator
- Frankfort, NY · Herkimer County
Constructed leachate collection and site drainage in 1994–95. Landfill closure completed in 1996. Gas removal windmill built in 1997. Eric worked across all phases of this multi-year project.
1998
Superintendent (First Time)
- Sodus, NY · Wayne County
Eric’s first job as a project superintendent — the beginning of his transition from the field to project leadership.
2008
Superintendent
- Wampsville, NY · Madison County
Cell 7 liner system construction on the Madison County Landfill. By this point Eric was running full field operations independently.
2012
Project Manager (First Time)
- Stanley, NY (Ontario County) + Morrisonville, NY (Clinton County)
Two of the largest projects Eric managed in his first year as a project manager. He worked on several other projects that year, but these were the biggest. Marks his transition from field superintendent to full project management.
2022
Senior Project Manager
- Middlesboro, KY + McGuire Air Force Base, NJ
2022 marked the first time Eric ever worked outside of New York State. He worked as senior project manager on both federal projects, plus several others that year.
2025
Founder · Owner · Director of Operations
- Sauquoit, NY · Oneida County
Eric founds Hale Excavation LLC — bringing 35 years of experience home to Central New York. From here we serve Oneida County, the Mohawk Valley, Herkimer, Madison, and surrounding counties. The scale is more personal now. The standards, work ethic, and project management discipline are exactly the same.
Projects listed above were completed under previous employers. They represent Eric Hale’s personal project resume and experience. Hale Excavation LLC was founded in November 2025.
Serving Central New York and the Mohawk Valley
From Utica and Rome through the Mohawk Valley, north into Lewis County, west across Onondaga, south into Chenango and Cortland — we work the full Central New York region. Our home base is Sauquoit, and our standard service radius is one to two hours from Utica. For the right project, we travel further.
What types of underground utilities do you install?
We install water service lines, sewer laterals, storm drain pipe, HDPE pipe (butt fusion and electrofusion), duct bank conduit, and associated structures like manholes, catch basins, and cleanouts. Residential, commercial, and municipal scope.
Do you handle emergency water or sewer line repairs?
Yes. Broken water lines and collapsed sewer lines cannot wait. We provide emergency excavation and repair for utility failures across Oneida County and surrounding areas. Call (315) 982-3673 any time.
What is HDPE pipe fusion, and why does it matter?
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe is fused using heat and pressure to create a seamless, leak-free joint. It is the preferred material for municipal water mains, force mains, and industrial piping because of its durability and resistance to corrosion. Fusion welding requires a certified operator, and we hold that certification.
Do you coordinate with municipal water and sewer departments?
Yes. We handle tap permits, connection approvals, and inspection scheduling with local water and sewer authorities. We manage the coordination so you do not have to navigate the process yourself.
How do I get a free estimate for utility work?
Call us at (315) 982-3673 or contact us online. We review the project scope, visit the site if needed, and provide a written estimate covering trenching, materials, installation, backfill, and compaction.
Underground Utility Questions
