Construction sites and hydro-vac projects use enormous amounts of water every day. From dust control and soil stabilization to excavation and cleaning, water is a constant necessity. However, what happens to that water after it becomes dirty is often an overlooked part of the job. Most of it is collected as slurry or turbid water and hauled away for disposal — an expensive and inefficient process that can slow down work and drain project budgets.

As the cost of water hauling and treatment continues to rise, the industry is shifting toward on-site water recycling. New technologies like TigerFloc, a natural flocculant developed by Floc Systems Inc., are making it easier for construction and hydro-vac operators to clean and reuse water quickly. This innovation not only cuts down on waste and disposal costs but also helps companies meet environmental compliance while improving operational efficiency.

The Cost of Hauling vs. the Value of Recycling

Hauling dirty water off-site is one of the biggest hidden costs in both construction and hydro-vac operations. Each truckload of slurry or wastewater requires time, fuel, and disposal fees that can add up to thousands of dollars per week on large projects. In addition, hauling delays can lead to downtime, site congestion, and higher carbon emissions.

By contrast, recycling water on-site eliminates the need for most of that hauling. Clean, clarified water can be reused for excavation, dust control, or other operational needs. This not only saves money but also ensures a more sustainable use of resources.

For companies managing projects at scale, reducing even a fraction of water disposal trips can have a major financial impact. The key is finding a treatment method that is fast, easy to use, and capable of handling high flow rates — measured in gallons per minute (GPM) — without requiring complex infrastructure.

How TigerFloc Revolutionizes Water Recycling

TigerFloc offers a simple yet powerful way to treat dirty water on-site. It uses a mineral-based natural flocculant that binds with fine particles, clays, oils, and other suspended materials to form heavier clusters called flocs. These flocs settle quickly, leaving clear water that can be pumped, filtered, or reused immediately.

The system is designed for speed and scalability, making it ideal for high-GPM environments like hydro-vac and construction sites. A TigerFloc Water Treatment Kit can be deployed in minutes and is capable of treating turbid water at high flow rates (up to about 100 GPM under optimal conditions) with minimal supervision.

Once the water passes through TigerFloc treatment, the solids settle in dewatering bags or tanks, and the clear water can be reused on-site. The entire process can be continuous, allowing operators to work without long interruptions or excessive storage needs.

Why Recycling Beats Disposal

1. Major Cost Savings

By treating and reusing water instead of hauling it off-site, companies can reduce disposal costs significantly (in some cases by as much as 80%). The reduction in fuel, labor, and landfill fees adds up quickly, especially for long-term or large-scale projects.

2. Environmental Compliance

Water recycling helps construction and hydro-vac operators stay within environmental regulations. By removing turbidity and contaminants, TigerFloc-treated water meets discharge and reuse standards, minimizing compliance risks and protecting surrounding ecosystems.

3. Faster Operations

When water is recycled on-site, downtime waiting for new deliveries or hauling trucks is eliminated. Crews can continue working while treatment systems run in the background, increasing productivity and keeping projects on schedule.

4. Scalable and Portable

TigerFloc systems can be adapted to any site size. Whether treating a few hundred gallons in a small containment pit or thousands of gallons per hour in a large excavation project, the system can be scaled easily. It is lightweight, portable, and requires no complex setup or maintenance.

5. Sustainable and Safe

TigerFloc is non-toxic, biodegradable, and pH-stable, making it safe for use on environmentally sensitive sites. It does not introduce harsh chemicals or harmful residues into the water, making it ideal for contractors working under strict environmental permits or sustainability standards.

Real-World Results

Construction Sites
Contractors using TigerFloc have significantly reduced their waste hauling frequency by recycling turbid water directly on-site. Water that was once destined for disposal is now reused for dust suppression or compaction. The results are cleaner operations, lower costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.

Hydro-Vac Operators
Hydro-vac contractors who once relied on daily trips to disposal facilities are now reusing their own water for excavation. With TigerFloc treatment, slurry water is clarified within minutes, allowing crews to separate solids efficiently and keep the clean water in circulation. The process dramatically reduces overall water management costs while ensuring regulatory compliance is maintained.

Large Infrastructure Projects
On highway, pipeline, and utility projects, water recycling has become a standard best practice. Using TigerFloc enables large-scale operations to treat thousands of gallons continuously, keeping up with the pace of work while avoiding costly logistical delays.

Conclusion

The future of water management in construction and hydro-vac operations lies in recycling, not hauling. As costs increase and environmental regulations tighten, companies that invest in on-site water treatment will gain a major competitive advantage.

TigerFloc makes on-site water recycling fast and affordable while helping ensure regulatory compliance. Its natural formula and high-performance design allow operators to treat dirty water at scale, cut down on waste hauling, and lower overall project costs per gallon.

At Floc Systems Inc., we are helping the construction and hydro-vac industries adopt smarter, more sustainable water management practices. Our TigerFloc systems are designed to deliver clear, reusable water that meets regulatory standards quickly and efficiently

Get a TigerFloc fact sheet or request a quote today. Contact us to learn how we can help your team recycle water, reduce costs, and remain compliant with solutions built for performance and care.