Business Details
19 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Vacuum Excavation & Utility Locating Services
Santa Fe Vacuum Excavation was founded in 2007 by John H. Brown after a critical safety incident highlighted the need for safer excavation methods. Recognizing the limited use of vacuum trucks in New Mexico, John invested in specialized equipment and developed innovative techniques to improve safety and efficiency. Over time, he and his son Tim modified their initial vacuum truck to handle both wet and dry excavation, expanding their capabilities. The company acquired additional advanced equipment in 2008, establishing itself as a leader in non-destructive digging. With decades of combined experience, the team specializes in utility locating, air and hydro excavation, and complex shoring solutions.Their commitment to safety, innovation, and rapid response has made them a trusted partner across New Mexico. They serve municipalities, counties, and private clients with 24/7 emergency availability. Their expertise includes GIS mapping, pipeline inspections, and customized training for vacuum truck operations. The company continues to pioneer safer excavation practices while maintaining a focus on customer needs and operational excellence.
Services
Air Excavation
Hydro Excavation
Utility Locating
Pipeline Inspection
Culvert Cleaning
GIS Mapping
Equipment Rental
Operator Training
Shoring Systems
Emergency Services
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency response with deployment within 1-3 days
- Our team pioneered vacuum excavation adoption in New Mexico
- Custom-modified equipment for wet/dry excavation and complex shoring
- GIS mapping capabilities with sub-decimeter accuracy
- Decades of combined experience in non-destructive digging methods
What people say
Exceptionally responsive
Technical expertise
Safe excavation methods
24/7 availability
Innovative solutions
Services
Air Excavation
Our air excavation system uses high-pressure air to break up soil while preserving underground utilities. The VACMASTERS 4000 equipment safely creates precise potholes up to 40 feet deep without damaging infrastructure. This method keeps spoils dry for immediate backfill and eliminates water refill requirements.
Hydro Excavation
The Aquatech B-10 combination truck delivers high-pressure water jetting and powerful vacuum extraction. Capable of vertical excavation to 38 feet and horizontal reaches up to 300 feet, this system efficiently handles sand, cobbles, and challenging materials while maintaining utility integrity.
Utility Locating
We employ non-destructive potholing techniques using air/water jets and vacuum extraction to expose buried utilities. Our methods provide visual verification of line location, depth, and condition with minimal surface disruption, preventing accidental damage during construction projects.
Pipeline Inspection
Our camera systems inspect pressurized and non-pressurized pipelines up to 600 feet from single access points. The technology identifies corrosion, blockages, and structural issues while operating at pressures up to 232 psi without service interruption for accurate maintenance planning.
GIS Mapping
Using sub-decimeter accuracy GIS devices, we create detailed utility maps by recording spatial data from exposed lines. The system generates exportable files compatible with Google Earth and AutoCAD for integration with construction and infrastructure management systems.
People
John H. Brown
Founder
John founded the company in 2007 after identifying safety gaps in excavation practices. He pioneered vacuum truck adoption in New Mexico and developed specialized equipment modifications that revolutionized local industry standards for utility excavation.
Tim Brown
Operator
Tim works alongside his father implementing technical improvements to excavation equipment. With hands-on experience since 2007, he provides field expertise in utility locating, truck operations, and training programs for safe excavation practices.
Questions
What excavation methods do you use?
We use air excavation with high-pressure air jets and hydro excavation with water jetting systems, both combined with vacuum extraction for safe, non-destructive digging.
Do you offer emergency services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency response with typical deployment within 1-3 days for utility damage incidents and urgent excavation needs.
What areas do you serve?
We operate statewide in New Mexico with primary service centers in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, providing equipment and crews for projects across the state.
Can you locate underground utilities?
Yes, we use potholing techniques with air/water jets and vacuum extraction to visually confirm utility locations, sizes, and conditions without damaging infrastructure.
Do you rent equipment?
We rent specialized excavation equipment including jetting trucks, vacuum systems, and utility locators with required operator training for safe usage.
How deep can you excavate?
Our air excavation reaches 40 feet depth, while hydro excavation handles 38 feet vertically and 300 feet horizontally for challenging underground projects.
