"Daylighting" (also referred to as "potholing") is the process of exposing underground utilities, pipes, and conduits for locating and damage inspection projects. Pipe and utility infrastructure inspection is important in municipal maintenance and development applications. Traditionally performing excavation operations with a backhoe or shovel has led to costly infrastructure damage and pipeline ruptures. The result is that hydro excavation is now the favored and safer procedure for potholing or daylighting.
