Fine, Washed Utility River Sand Delivered Across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco & San Mateo
 
Backfill Utility Sand (often called Utility Sand or PG&E Sand) is a fine, washed, screened natural sand used for clean backfill, trench bedding, and utility work where a smooth, consistent material is required. Its uniform texture makes it easy to place and compact around pipes and conduits—helping reduce voids and protecting sensitive lines from sharp rock or debris.
 
At North Bay Materials, we sell Utility Sand by the cubic yard and deliver in bulk using residential-friendly dump trucks, making it a go-to material for contractors, landscapers, and homeowners across Marin County, Sonoma County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco, and San Mateo County.
 
Best Uses & Applications for Backfill Utility Sand
Clean, Consistent Sand for Trenching, Bedding & Utility Work
Backfill Utility Sand is valued for its fine gradation, cleanliness, and workability, making it ideal for applications where protection, uniform compaction, and smooth placement are required. It’s widely used across residential, commercial, and municipal projects throughout the North Bay and Bay Area.
 
Common applications include:
Utility trench backfill
Preferred for backfilling trenches around gas, water, sewer, and electrical lines where a fine, debris-free material is required.
 
Pipe bedding & shading
Creates a protective cushion around PVC, HDPE, copper, and other piping—reducing point loads and helping prevent damage.
 
Conduit & electrical work (PG&E-style applications)
Commonly specified for underground conduit installations and service upgrades where clean, screened sand is required.
 
Paver & hardscape leveling (light-duty)
Used for leveling bedding layers beneath pavers, stepping stones, and small concrete elements (for structural bases, a specified paver base may be required).
 
General construction backfill
Ideal where rock-free material is needed for tight spaces, hand placement, or areas near finished surfaces.
 
Landscape & site prep tasks
Used for smoothing grades, filling small voids, and fine grading before base materials or concrete pours.
 
Because Utility Sand is washed and screened, it contains minimal fines and no organic material, helping ensure predictable compaction and clean installations—especially important in San Rafael, Novato, Petaluma, Walnut Creek, Concord, San Francisco, and San Mateo projects.
 
Material Specs & Technical Notes
Type: Natural screened utility sand (washed, fine-grain composition).
Color: dark gray to brown (color variations may occur depending on quarry source in Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo counties).
Gradation: Fine-grained with minimal gravel content; typically passes No. 4 sieve.
Water Permeability: Moderate — allows drainage while maintaining compaction.
Compaction: Excellent — compacts moderately to create a stable base.
Durability: Resistant to weathering; suitable for long-term structural and non-structural applications.
Weight Per Cubic Yard: ~2,600–2,800 lbs. (1.3–1.4 tons).
Standards: Commonly supplied to meet Caltrans Section 19 (Backfill) and ASTM C33 fine aggregate specifications where applicable.
Packaging: Sold by the cubic yard, delivered in bulk via dump truck.
 
Coverage Per Cubic Yard
~ 150 sq ft 2" depth
~ 100 sq ft 3" depth
~ 75 sq ft 4" depth
~ 50 sq ft 6" depth
 
Coverage, Ordering & Bulk Delivery
North Bay Materials provides Backfill Utility Sand (PG&E Sand) delivered by the cubic yard, eliminating the need for yard pickups or bag handling.
 
Delivery Areas We Serve
We deliver Utility Sand throughout:
Marin County – San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Larkspur, Corte Madera
Sonoma County – Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol
Alameda County – Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, San Leandro
Contra Costa County – Walnut Creek, Concord, Orinda, Lafayette
San Francisco – All neighborhoods
San Mateo County – Daly City, San Mateo, Burlingame, Redwood City
If your location is nearby but not listed, request a quote—coverage is often available.
 
Available Quantities
Sold by the cubic yard
Fine, washed, screened natural sand
Ideal for utility trenches, pipe bedding, conduit shading, and clean backfill
 
Typical load capacities:
5–7 cubic yards per load (varies by moisture content and access conditions)
Material is dumped in one accessible location such as a driveway, street frontage, or designated staging area. Please ensure:
Firm, level dumping surface
Clear access and overhead clearance
Adequate space for safe truck maneuvering
 
Ordering & Scheduling
Order online or request a quote for larger or multi-load projects
Pricing is distance- and time-based
Standard delivery within 1–3 business days
Same-day or next-day delivery may be available in select areas
From utility trenching in San Rafael to conduit work in Petaluma, service upgrades in Walnut Creek, or site prep in San Mateo, North Bay Materials delivers clean, consistent Utility Sand—fast, local, and job-ready.
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions - Backfill Utility Sand
Q: What is the difference between utility sand and play sand?
A: Utility sand is a coarse, unscreened sand primarily used for backfilling, trench bedding, and general construction. Play sand is finer, cleaner, and specifically processed for use in playgrounds or sandboxes.
 
Q: Can this backfill utility sand be compacted?
A: Yes, backfill utility sand compacts well, making it ideal for pipe bedding, utility trenches, and foundation backfill where stability is required.