We desire and strive to be a catalyst for progressive change within the airport and highway industry. With that in mind, we see the need to create objective industry standards for pavement marking removal and runway rubber removal by way of UHP water blasting.

Our vision is to work with equipment manufacturers and service providers, as well as airport and highway engineers and owners to expose the need for standards and then to develop the standards. We believe that there is also a real need for a licensing requirement that will require that operators receive basic training and subsequently operate in conformance with the “industry standards” or face revocation of their operators license.

Airplanes require a license to fly, cars require a license to drive and heavy trucks require special testing and licensing for over the road travel. Forklifts and cranes and a host of other specialized equipment similarly require a license. Up until now, operating a water blasting vehicle than can easily cost over $600,000.00 USD, and do damage to people and or property when used improperly, has required no licensing by the industry. We believe this needs to change. It will not change quickly nor by the efforts of one person or organization but together, we can implement the change and requirement over time.

The number one goal is to protect the reputation that water blasting has rightfully earned as the removal method that causes the least amount of surface impact when executed properly. Although there are a number of other objectives, this first goal is the one that we see most often violated by untrained or careless operation of water blasting vehicles or equipment.

As part of our mission to set industry standards, we have created the first edition of an objective ” Impact Guide ” for the ultra-high pressure water blasting road marking and runway rubber removal industry. It categorizes the removal into 4 levels as well as attempt to characterize the condition of asphalt surfaces into 4 distinct levels. The condition of the road or runway surface will have an impact on the result of the removal process.

• Level 1 – 98% Removal (With 2% remaining)
• Level 2 – Acceptable. 98% removal with minimal impact to the surface
• Level 3 – Moderate Scarring
• Level 4 – Unacceptable