Horizontal Directional Drilling
Steerable bores under driveways, roads, wetlands, rock outcrops and landscaping, sized from small service conduit up to larger utility runs.
Directional Drilling · San Juan Islands
Utilities underground. Islands left intact.
West Sound Utility Construction uses specialized directional drilling equipment to place power, water and communications piping beneath driveways, rock, roots and shoreline — without trenching across your property.
- TrenchlessUnder, not through
- Island-basedNo mainland mobilization
- Every utilityPower, water, fiber, gas
- Clean finishLawns and paving untouched
What we do
The shortest path between two points is usually underneath.
Island properties are built on glacial till, bedrock, old-growth roots and carefully kept gardens. Open trenching tears all of that up.
Our directional drill steers a bore underground from one pit to another, then pulls your conduit or pipe back through the finished path. You get a new service line under the driveway, the septic field or the madrona you’ve been protecting for twenty years — and a yard that looks the same the next morning.
How we work on the islands
Services
One crew for every line that goes in the ground.
From a single service drop to a utility-scale crossing, we plan the bore, install the pipe and leave the site clean.
Electrical Conduit
Underground power conduit for new homes, outbuildings, wells, EV chargers and overhead-to-underground conversions.
Water & Sewer Lines
Domestic water service, well lines, irrigation mains and septic or sewer force mains placed beneath obstacles.
Fiber & Communications
Conduit pathways for fiber internet and telecom service, ready for the provider to pull and connect.
Road & Driveway Crossings
Cross paved roads and finished driveways without cutting asphalt, closing lanes or rebuilding surfaces.
Locates & Potholing
Verifying existing utilities before we drill, so new lines go in safely around what’s already there.
Drill vs. dig
Why islanders choose directional drilling.
Open trenching
- Cuts through lawns, gardens, patios and driveways
- Rock and roots mean blasting, hammering or rerouting
- Weeks of restoration after the pipe is in
- Heavy spoil piles and truck traffic on island roads
Directional drilling
- Two small pits — everything between stays untouched
- Steers under trees, rock, septic fields and structures
- Most residential bores finished in a day or two
- Minimal spoil, minimal disruption, minimal cleanup
Our process
Straightforward from site walk to final pull.
Site walk
We visit the property, review the route, grade and soil, and talk through what you need.
Locate & plan
Existing utilities are located and the bore path is planned for depth, length and clearance.
Drill & pull back
A pilot bore is steered to the exit point, reamed to size and your pipe is pulled through.
Restore & hand off
Pits are backfilled, the site is cleaned up and your line is ready for the next trade.
Service area
Working island to island.
We live and work in the San Juans, so we understand ferry schedules, barge landings, narrow private roads and the care these properties deserve. Equipment and crew are already here — no mainland mobilization fees built into your price.
- San Juan Island
- Orcas Island
- Lopez Island
- Shaw Island
- Outer islands by arrangement
Have a line to run?
Tell us where it starts, where it ends and what’s in the way. We’ll walk the site, plan the bore and give you a clear price.