American Liquid Waste - July 2023

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LIQUID AMERICAN WASTE MAGAZINE LIQUID AMERICAN WASTE MAGAZINE LIQUID AMERICAN WASTE MAGAZINE 9 2004-2023 2004-2023 Driving Growth Through Customer-Centric Strategies Page 18 How to Build a Strong Marketing Strategy for Your Septic Business Page 22 In The News Page 30 How to Start, Manage, and Grow a Septic Service Business Page 38 INSIDE JULY 2023
2 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us ADVERTISER INDEX February 2023 Thinking of SELLING YOUR Portable Sanitation BUSINESS? Your Deserve Expert, Professional Representation WE WORK DIRECTLY FOR YOU, THE OWNER TO ENSURE YOU RECEIVE THE MOST VALUE FOR YOUR COMPANY 4 135 Closed Transactions 4 55 Years Combined Industry Experience 4 Free Consultations 4 Zero Upfront Cost www.FMCadvisors.com Damon Powell 407-765-9440 Ed Medvic 727-486-0306
4 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us CONTENTS JULY 2023 | VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 7 CEO & PUBLISHER Gideon W. Smith SENIOR EDITOR Katherine Nolan ADVERTISING Tracy Rodean CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melissa Kennelly EDITORIAL MANAGER Heidi Karpinich CIRCULATION Noah Aiden Phoenix Global Media Inc. P.O. Box 235, Stockton New Jersey 08559 866-418-4400 phone 973-532-0319 fax sales@americanliquidwaste.com American Liquid Waste Magazine is published by Phoenix Global Media Inc. Copyright 2023 by Phoenix Global Media Inc. All rights reserved. SUBSCRIPTIONS $15.00 per year, or by eligible request. POSTMASTER: Please send changes to American Liquid Waste Magazine P.O. Box 235, Stockton New Jersey 08559 Opinions expressed in editorial submissions contributed to American Liquid Waste Magazine are those of the individual authors exclusively and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of American Liquid Waste Magazine, its staff, its advertisers, or its readership. American Liquid Waste Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility toward independently contributed editorial submissions or any typographical errors, mistakes, misprints, or missing information within advertising copy. FEATURES 8 Advanced Septic Services 18 Driving Growth Through Customer-Centric Strategies 22 The GEAR BOX: How to Build a Strong Marketing Strategy for Your Septic Business 30 In The News 38 How to Start, Manage, and Grow a Septic Service Business 44 ALW Classifieds 46 Index of Advertisers Wastewater & Dewatering Storage Tanks 1000s ofTanks Nationwide We're Here For All Your Liquid Storage Needs! Phone: 855-459-4350
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ADVANCED SEPTIC SERVICES

Advanced Septic Services is yet another one-of-a-kind local-level septic service company that has more to offer than the competition, and a compelling unique value proposition, (UVP). So, you might be asking, what is so unique about their UVP? It's simple. They deliver septic services with a set of additional capabilities that are designed to serve a unique community with unique needs. But before we get into that, let's get to know the company a little better.

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ADVANCED SEPTIC SERVICES: COMPANY & MISSION

Founded in the early 2000s, Advanced Septic Services provides a range of septic services from cleaning to repairs, and more. Not surprisingly, they also offer portable toilet rentals for customers and clients that need usable facilities immediately. As our regular readers will know, offering portable toilet rentals gives a septic service company the ability to serve an immediate need within hours, (if not faster), giving them speed and customer service above and beyond those that don't.

But moving beyond the typical septic service capabilities, Advanced Septic Services begins to really set itself apart from the competition. They do this with mini-backhoe excavation, sewer, drain line, and plumbing services, which we'll discuss in more detail below.

But first, let's cover their mission. We think you'll find that their approach to delivering septic service is in alignment with the unique needs of their community as well as with the services and work ethic that has been proven to be a formula for success. The first descriptor in the mission section of their About Us page is "old-fashioned, prompt, reliable, and friendly

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We think you'll find that their approach to delivering septic service is in alignment with the unique needs of their community as well as with the services and work ethic...

service." For local-level septic service companies, the ability to deliver fast relief to those whose septic systems suddenly fail is key to cornering a market. In locations where weather and geological concerns exacerbate the typical challenges faced by septic systems, those who will readily do what others hesitate to do will get the competitive edge. So, let's talk about how they positioned themselves to earn such a reputation.

THE ADVANCED SEPTIC SERVICES APPROACH TO QUALITY

One of the first things a geologist will notice about the Landisburg, PA area is a unique combination of mountains, valleys, rivers, a high water table, and

a wide variety of extreme geological conditions. Construction companies would be acutely aware of this, making Advanced Septic a go-to septic solution for that industry. But it also means that geological uncertainty is a major factor.

Naturally, that means unexpected septic and underground plumbing needs are going to be in high demand. In case it's not glaringly obvious, this is the reason Advanced Septic offers mini-backhoe services, plumbing, and portable toilet work.

That being the case, in our estimation, any septic company working in this part of the country would be remiss to fail to offer all of these services and more. The reasons for this should be obvious. With wide

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SPOTLIGHT INDEX

variations in geological conditions, rocky formations, high water tables, shifting terrain, and more, backhoe services make a heck of a lot of sense.

After looking through a list of similar companies all along this mountainous region that runs from the Scranton area all the way down to northern Alabama, the pattern is fairly clear. Any company working in these locations needs to be able to do more than just pump and service septic systems. They need to be able to perform minor earth moving, trenching, plumbing, and excavation services as well. These things are high on Advanced Septic's list of offerings. What's more, it might not be immediately obvious why they would go with a mini-backhoe rather than a larger one. But this suggests to us that they probably knew what they were doing long before they started doing it in an official capacity. Interestingly, this is reflected in their company timeline as described on their About Us Page.

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...minor earth moving, trenching, plumbing, and excavation services... These things are high on Advanced Septic's list of offerings.

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTS AROUND THE WORLD

While Advanced Septic claims to have started in the early 2000s, the timeline of their experience in the industry goes back all the way to 1996. After talking with a representative of the company, it became clear to us that they do not count their formative years, indeed their education, as part of their quantifiable service experience.

For clarity, a writer (for example) is likely to include his college years as part of his work experience. That is exactly what Advanced Septic doesn't do. They waited until they got the craft down pat before they started making claims of expertise.

That, frankly, is impressive!

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While Advanced Septic claims to have started in the early 2000s, the timeline of their experience in the industry goes back all the way to 1996.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICES

The company acquired its first septic truck in 1995. That's when Advanced Septic Services was officially founded. But in reality, they consider their true start to have taken place in 1998 when they first onboard their digging machines. This is the point when they became truly competitive and were able to pull ahead of the competition by delivering a level of service quality that other septic companies in the area simply could not match.

So, what is the lesson of Advanced Septic? It's simple. The lesson is that you need to understand the specific needs that geological conditions will impose on the community you intend to serve. Other considerations to take into account include regulatory compliance.

But time and time again, our ongoing survey has shown that if you hope to gain a critical edge in this industry you need to become a master of the land itself, and that is where Advanced Septic Services wins hands down.

. Sources

https://www.advancedsepticservicesinc.com/

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DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH CUSTOMER-CENTRIC STRATEGIES : How To Provide GOLD STAR Customer Service

JeffBezos recognized early in his entrepreneurial journey that customer experience was at the heart of every strong company. His understanding of the importance of giving customers what they needed enabled him to build one of the world's largest and most trusted companies.

While we can’t all become the next Amazon, we can take note of Amazon’s strengths and use that to build a customer journey that brings people back to us again and again.

In this article, we’ll look at exemplary customer service and how to implement customer-friendly processes into your everyday workflow.

WHAT ARE CUSTOMER-CENTRIC STRATEGIES?

Think about why you love your favorite brands. Your first thought might be about the quality of their product or service. While a good product is essential, other factors are at play.

Dig deeper into your experience. A little reflection will reveal that your love for the brand has as much to do with how that product or service makes you feel as the quality of the item or service.

If your list includes things like feeling valued, listened to, honesty and integrity, you’re getting to the heart of what makes good customer service (and customer-centric).

The main components of a customer-centric strategy tend to include the following:

4 Understanding what your customer wants and needs and then providing it.

4 Relationships and communication are crucial. Treat your customers in the way you would a good friend or trusted colleague. Build a relationship of mutual respect.

4 Metrics – Monitoring customer feedback and acting on it.

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BUSINESS CORNER PRODUCT WA TCH IN THE NEWS TECH NEWS
NEWS
SPOTLIGHT
ASSOCIA TION
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER
INDEX
We're not competitor obsessed; we're customer obsessed. We start with what the customer needs, and we work backwards. - Jeff Bezos

4 Agility – Building the ability to respond fast when things go wrong.

KEY STEPS TO IMPLEMENTING A CUSTOMERCENTRIC STRATEGY

Implementing the right customer-centric strategy starts with understanding your customers' needs. Ensuring customers have a clear way to give you feedback is often enough.

Contacting your head office should be simple, so have a contact email and phone number on your website. Monitor social media and respond quickly to messages. Survey your customers, analyze results and act on them. Newsletters can also be easily personalized, providing another route for customers to contact you.

Other things to consider when building a customerfocused business include:

Tailor your products and services to fit individual customer needs. What are they asking for?

4 Tailor your products and services to fit individual customer needs. What are they asking for? Can you provide what they need? Look at every aspect of your offer and consider it through your customers’ eyes.

4 Ensure a smooth and satisfying customer journey. Don’t make working with you complicated. From

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find that simplification has the knock-on effect of making the customer journey more pleasant.

PRODUCT WA TCH

IN THE NEWS

the moment a customer contacts you, they should be able to get the information they need quickly. Accessing your products and services should be as seamless as possible.

4 Ensure that every interaction with the customer is consistently excellent. This may involve training for staff and reevaluating your everyday processes. If any internal process is overly long or complicated, think about how you can simplify it, you may

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4 Have a complaints process that people talk about because it's so good. In reality, things will go wrong, so build a complaint resolution process that works in the customers' favor.

THE FUTURE OF CUSTOMER-CENTRIC STRATEGIES

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Customer service is evolving. Putting your customer first ensures you build a reputation for customer excellence; consequently, people will return to you repeatedly. This goes for giants like Amazon but also for the small septic, sewer and portable restroom contractors businesses.

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Customer-centric strategies don’t have to be expensive. Taking the time to look at your business from your customer’s point of view will reward you in the long term.

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BUSINESS CORNER
TECH NEWS
Customer service is evolving.
Putting your customer first ensures you build a reputation for customer excellence...

Sources

https://www.mcorpcx.com/articles/9-ways-to-be-more-customer-centric

https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/four-steps-to-drivinga-customer-centric-culture/ https://www.superoffice.com/blog/how-to-create-a-customer-centric-strategy/#:~:text=Customer%2Dcentricity%20 starts%20by%20focusing,and%20deliver%20a%20positive%20 experience.

https://www.thestairway.co.uk/publications/driving-growth-through-customer-service.html https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/bezos-most-important-single-thing-focus-obsessively-on-customer.html#:~:text=%22We're%20not%20competitor%20obsessed,most%20 customer%2Dcentric%20company.%22

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THE GEAR BOX:

How to Build a Strong Marketing Strategy for Your Septic Business

Unless you are running a massive regional or national septic business, your septic service company is a locallevel business. It's important to understand that the marketing needs of a local business are different from those of a larger business. Further, the fact that septic service is one that requires you to travel to the site of the job has further restrictions on the type of marketing you need to do.

So, we're going to take a quick but comprehensive look at what a small to medium-sized septic business needs to bridge the gap between its message and its customers.

WHAT IS A LOCAL LEVEL BUSINESS?

A local-level business is one with one or a small number of brick-and-mortar locations in a given geographic area. Good examples include your local dentist, a mom-and-pop grocery outlet, a local restaurant, a regional construction contractor, a real estate agent whose face you might see on a billboard, and so on. You get the idea.

Businesses like this need an online marketing presence because every business does. But they also need a local marketing footprint. So we're going to talk about that local marketing footprint first.

BUILDING A LOCAL-LEVEL MARKETING PRESENCE

Local-level marketing is about being a visible, known, and respected part of the community.

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It takes brick-and-mortar branding, traditional advertising, and community involvement. As a septic service company, you are exactly the type of business that needs a local marketing presence.

Brick-and-Mortar Branding

This part of local-level branding is all about the way

your office and trucks look. It includes the way your team members present themselves and the uniforms they wear. The colors, patterns, and designs you use should be consistent across business cards, office fronts, uniforms, and so on. You should use the same text fonts consistently. Further, the way you interact with customers should also be consistent with your underlying brand message.

Your company should have a color/design scheme that is easily recognizable. Customers should be able to spot it at a glance.

Local Awareness

You should have local-level advertisements appearing in publications people see. You should have plaques in spots where companies make

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This part of local-level branding is all about the way your office and trucks look.
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charitable donations and are recognized. You should be featured in local parades, charity events, softball tournaments, charity 5K runs, and the like. You want to be seen as active and positive in and for your community.

Events and Promotions

Having local advertising partners is important. You

want to be a part of events when and wherever possible. Charitable events are a great opportunity to get the local exposure you want. Donating to children's sports organizations is important. The idea is to have a similar presence to your local fire dept. After all, the best septic service companies have something of a heroic reputation in the communities they serve. That's what you're shooting for.

ESTABLISHING A LOCAL-LEVEL ONLINE MARKETING PRESENCE

Even local-level businesses need an online presence. Your local-level online marketing should mesh well with your local-level brick-and-mortar marketing.

Social Media

Local Facebook and Instagram pages are important, Facebook especially. You want people to be able to

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Having local advertising partners is important. You want to be a part of events when and wherever possible.
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easily interact with your brand and offer reviews. You need to be able to respond to public feedback on these sites, address and diffuse criticism, and readily respond to their thoughts, questions, and concerns.

Journalist Partners

Many areas have local independent journalists who do culture, product, and service reviews. Offering one of these complimentary or discounted services is a good way to get an unbiased review written up on your business. People know the difference between a good review journalist and a biased one. So choose wisely and bargain effectively for a quality partnership.

E-commerce Activity

If you sell any products online, (something worth considering), this is a wealth of marketing

information that you can use to your benefit. When someone makes a purchase online, they become an instant lead for your email marketing campaign. At the end of the day, local-level marketing is easy to understand and do, because it's all about you and the physical side of your business. It isn't ephemeral like pure online marketing can be. What matters most is to make sure the people in your community can see it and to be consistent in branding and customer service. Do that, and you'll be ahead of the game.

Sources

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/local-marketing

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SPOTLIGHT INDEX

COXREELS, OFFERS CUSTOM PRODUCTS FOR ANY APPLICATION

Coxreels is pleased to offer our customers thousands of standard products to choose from; however, in the event that a customer cannot locate the perfect reel for a specific application, Coxreels has the capability to custom build any product to your exact specification. Coxreels custom built products offer a complete solution to any of your hose, cord, and cable reel needs. Coxreels offers custom design expertise and manufacturing flexibility that is unique in our industry, which is why we are proud to manufacture the most complete and diverse line of custom reels in the industry. For us here at Coxreels , analyzing individual customer

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requirements and arriving at the best reeling solution for the application at hand comes naturally. After 100 years in the hose, cord, and cable reeling industry, Coxreels ’ has set the bar as the expert in custom designed and engineered products.

About Coxreels®:

Coxreels® has remained steadfast and focused on manufacturing high quality professional grade hose, cord, and cable reels since 1923. Offering a full product line serving the industry in every channel and application, Coxreels® takes great pride in designing, building, and supporting all of their products right here in the U.S.A.

For further information on Coxreels® new options for the V-100 Series, contact Customer Service at (800) 269-7335 or visit www.coxreels.com.

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NEW RIDGID® K9-12 FLEXSHAFT DRAIN CLEANING MACHINE IDEAL FOR AT-HOME BLOCKAGES

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Get wall-to-wall clean with this new solution from RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio

ELYRIA, OHIO – May 30, 2023 – RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, introduces the K9-12 FlexShaft® Drain Cleaning Machine, the latest in a complete line of RIDGID FlexShafts that provide wallto-wall pipe cleaning power with astonishing speed. The K9-12 is the smallest of the machines and perfect for residential use, eliminating the need to repeatedly unclog the same household drain lines.

Cleaning machine,” said Shelby Gerl, product manager, RIDGID for Emerson. “It will save you time in removing common residential blockages and add value to your work by providing a fully flowing pipe again.”

The K9-12 joins three additional RIDGID FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines – the K9-306, K9-204 and K9104. Each provides wall-to-wall clean with astonishing speed. Designed for commercial use, the K9-306 clears 3- to 6-inch diameter lines up to 125 feet; the K9-204 clears 2- to 4-inch diameter lines up to 75 feet; and the K9-102 1¼- to 2-inch diameter lines up to 50 feet.

FlexShaft machines are backed by the RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty.

To purchase or learn more about the K9-12 and entire line of FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines, visit RIDGID.com, or call toll-free: 1-800-4RIDGID

Clearing up to 30 feet of 1¼- to 2-inch pipe, the K912 breaks up grease, hair and other soft blockages, making it ideal for kitchen and bath sinks, as well as tubs and shower drains. Powered by an 1800 to 2500 RPM cordless drill, the machine’s chain knocker expands inside the pipe to quickly clear the blockage and restore the pipe to full flow. A flexible, protective sheath encapsulates the cable, keeping it fully enclosed for less mess and faster cleanup. The built-in clutch design also extends the cable life.

“Our K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine is a great tool to start with if you have never experienced the cleaning speed and efficacy of a RIDGID FlexShaft Drain

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson. com/professionaltools for more information.

About RIDGID

For 100 years, RIDGID has been providing certainty and efficiency to the professional trades by delivering innovative plumbing, mechanical and HVAC tools.

Inventing the modern pipe wrench in 1923, RIDGID today has more than 100 patents and 300 products that continue to deliver purpose-built tools to help the skilled trades work with more ease and efficiency. They are part of the Emerson professional tools portfolio that also includes Greenlee® and Klauke®. To learn more, visit RIDGID.com/100.

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Vactor iMPACT Combination Sewer Cleaner

BIG CLEAN IN A COMPACT PACKAGE

When there’s a dirty job to be done, trust the iMPACT sewer cleaner to do it without washing quality and safety down the drain. Don’t let its compact size fool you. The iMPACT packs a wicked punch with features like:

• Industry-leading IntuiTouch® controls

• Hands-free accessory light option

• Safety interlocks, non-destructive e-stops and boom alarms

• Multi-Flow system for fuel economy

• Quiet engine design

• Optional wireless controls

• Powerful vacuum blower

And it’s all backed by a solid commitment to highquality performance. The iMPACT is engineered to reliably perform better — powerful, safe and affordable.

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RIDGID®

“WE LOVE STEM DAY” TEACHES STUDENTS ABOUT STEM’S ROLE IN MANUFACTURING

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Elyria, Ohio – June 19, 2023 – RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its third annual “We Love STEM Day” in June for local students in grades three through eight. The event is designed to

RIDGID is a proud supporter of local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Lorain County, including the Elyria school makerspaces that reinforce STEM learning. The company also partners with current and future trade professionals and regularly invests and donates products. For years, its leaders have served on industry boards to help strengthen the trades.

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/ professionaltools for more information.

expose young learners to the real-world roles science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) play in their everyday lives and potential future careers.

“It was exciting to see the curiosity and interest students had in learning about how STEM integrates into what we do in manufacturing,” said Rose Hitchens, event chair and chapter lead, RIDGID Women’s Impact Network for Emerson. “We were inspired by the creativity each student brought to the day’s activities and look forward to the mark they will leave on the world.”

Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including making balloon cars, robotic hands, pinwheels, water filtration systems and solar-powered cars. Each activity allowed students to learn about the importance of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, renewable energy and natural resources in manufacturing.

RIDGID®, Greenlee® and Klauke® are trademarks of Emerson or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.

About RIDGID

For 100 years, RIDGID has been providing certainty and efficiency to the professional trades by delivering innovative plumbing, mechanical and HVAC tools. Learn more, visit RIDGID.com/100.

About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE: EMR) is a global technology and software company providing innovative solutions for the world’s essential industries. Through its leading automation portfolio, including its majority stake in AspenTech, Emerson helps hybrid, process and discrete manufacturers optimize operations, protect personnel, reduce emissions and achieve their sustainability goals. For more information, visit Emerson.com.

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GET YOUR KICKS WITH GENERAL’S ROOT 66®! IT’S THREE MACHINES IN ONE!

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With the versatility to handle 1-1/4” to 4” drain lines, General Pipe Cleaners' Root 66® is three machines in one!  Designed to clear practically any inside or rooftop drain, the Root 66 power drain cleaner uses 5/8" or 7/8" sectional cables interchangeably. There's no need for special adapters or tools to switch from one cable size to the other.  Need to clear sinks and other small drain lines? Get the optional drum with smaller 1/4", 5/16”, or 3/8” continuous Flexicore® cables. Just slide onto the back of Root 66, and you’re ready to go!

A General exclusive, optional 7/8" Proflex® sectional cables (15R10-P) sport an inner spring. It gives the cable greater strength to transfer extra torque down the line for additional cutting power.

And now you can quickly and cleanly use sectional drain

cleaners in confined and hard-to-access areas with General’s 5’ by 7/8” (5R-10) Force Multiplier™ sectional cable. It offers better control to reduce the risks of spraying walls, floors, and furniture from exposed wet, spinning cables.

Operating Root 66 is easy. Depress the drive handle for plenty of cable torque from the 1/2 hp capacitor motor. Release the drive handle and the cable immediately stops rotating – for no additional torque build-up. A wide, four-point base provides excellent stability. And General’s compact, powerful drain cleaner is easy to transport and maneuver.

Other accessories include cable carriers and a toolbox. Standard equipment includes a ground fault circuit interrupter, double palm leather gloves, rear guide hose, and General’s tradition of quality, performance and reliability.

For more information, contact the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300, or visit drainbrain.com/root-66/.

About General Pipe Cleaners®

General Pipe Cleaners, a division of General Wire Spring Co., is a leading manufacturer of high quality, American-made drain cleaning equipment. In business since 1930, the fourthgeneration, family-owned company is celebrating nearly a century of service to drain cleaning professionals and plumbing contractors, as well as to facilities managers, the rental industry, and the hardware/DIY market. The Toughest Tools Down The Line.

36 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us
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SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER August 27-30, 2023 | #PWX2023 MAKE PLANS TO BE IN SAN DIEGO FOR APWA’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE • New Technologies • Exciting New Networking Opportunities • New Education Formats & Great New Ways to Learn For more information visit: pwx.apwa.net REGISTER ONLINE!

TO START, MANAGE, AND GROW a Septic Service Business

STARTING A SEPTIC SERVICE BUSINESS

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To start a septic service, you must determine startup costs, obtain equipment and tools, set up systems to process work orders and payments, take steps to attract customers, and do other tasks. Your general to-do list for your septic business startup planning will include:

1. DEFINE THE SERVICE AREA YOU WANT TO COVER.

SPOTLIGHT INDEX

Owning a septic service business can be a rewarding career and offer a great life for your family. It can also provide employment for people in your community, which supports the local economy. For plumbing business owners, a septic system services line can be an ideal new revenue channel. This essential home maintenance service can attract an abundance of work and produce very strong profits. That makes it a wise choice for entrepreneurs with the specialized skills required to succeed in this type of service business. Let’s look at what it takes to start and grow your own septic system services company.

Deciding which area you want to serve is key to your logistics, vehicle life, maintenance needs, staffing requirements, operating costs, growth potential, and long-term profitability. Figure out the range of costs and profit in delivering each service you have in mind in the service area you’re considering. Include the cost of travel time, fuel, extra vehicle maintenance, etc., from your shop to the job sites in the area you choose to serve.

2. FIGURE OUT THE STARTUP COSTS.

To be sure you have the funds needed for your septic business startup, add up the costs of the equipment you need. For example, currently, a vacuum truck may cost from $100,000 to over $150,000. Add up your estimated monthly operating costs. Include fuel, fees for dumping wastewater and solids, vehicle and equipment maintenance, etc. Add office space rental and utility costs, supplies, liability insurance, CDL license renewals, payroll, etc.

continued on page 40

38 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us BUSINESS CORNER PRODUCT WA TCH TECH NEWS ASSOCIA TION NEWS
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3. CONDUCT YOUR OWN COMPETITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS.

Do your research on competing septic companies in your service market area. Note the areas they cover, the particular services they provide, their pricing, advertising, brand identification measures, website features, social media efforts, etc. Examine their online customer reviews. This process will help you understand your competitive environment. Use the knowledge you gain to figure out ways to make your service business stand out from the others.

4. CREATE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN.

Write out your business plan to explain your goals for your startup and the strategy you will use to accomplish them. This illustrates to your lenders and prospective investors that you have mapped out the actions you will take to succeed. Include your plan for operating the business, for example, the advertising, if any, as well as sales activities you will do, the number of workers you expect to hire, their job descriptions, the services you will provide, etc.

5. OBTAIN YOUR LICENSES AND PERMITS.

To operate legally and be insurable, you will need the required licenses, certifications, and permits. Contact your area’s relevant government agency to find out all the regulatory requirements for your business and the individuals working in it. For example, are certifications required for your service technicians to perform routine septic tank cleaning and pumping and other maintenance work, evaluate customers’ sites, or install septic systems?

6. CREATE A MARKETING

STRATEGY.

Use marketing approaches that help you make people in your area aware of your services and attract new prospective customers. This is fundamental for increasing your revenues and growing your

repeat customer and referral bases. Include a wellfunctioning, informative website, social media management, Google My Business placement, and offline community engagement activities, to maximize your visibility in your local market.

7.

BUY YOUR EQUIPMENT.

Obtain the right equipment and tools to enable your team to do quality work. That includes an adequate pump truck, septic locators, probes, tubes, hoses, etc. It also includes tank scrapers, brushes, and other maintenance tools. As your business grows, you will probably need upgraded management software that automates your workflow process, routing, dispatching, and other field staff management tasks.

8. HIRE WORKERS.

Hire enough technicians to meet the demand for your services throughout the year. Check references and backgrounds. Be willing to pay more to attract and retain experienced people who are skilled in the type of work you need them to do. Or, be prepared to devote the necessary time to training and cultivating inexperienced people who will learn on the job at a lower starting pay rate. Eventually, you’ll also need to hire administrative workers, a dispatcher, and possibly others.

CHOOSING SEPTIC SERVICE BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

You cannot overestimate the importance of the technology tools you choose to operate your new septic services business:

l Use modern equipment that makes septic service work more convenient on job sites, to enable your field team to focus on quality work and excellent customer service.

l Use updated route planning software that empowers your administrative management staff

40 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us
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to plot the most efficient routes, and reduce travel time, vehicle wear, and fuel costs, and maximize your team’s productivity.

l Use communications tools to help service employees consistently fix customers’ problems on the first visit, for the high customer satisfaction rates, strong word-of-mouth advertising, and new referral business needed to grow your business.

SUCCEEDING IN YOUR NEW SEPTIC BUSINESS

To succeed in your new septic cleaning and pumping business, you need to start by creating a business plan that details the main startup costs, evaluating the desired service area, performing a competitive analysis, getting licensed, etc. Learn the basics of running and optimizing this type of business. For example, route planning, hiring, labor costs,

equipment, training, and licensing. Then, invest in the right equipment and tools to maximize your septic service efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

Further, understand what will be involved in scaling a septic service business in a highly competitive market. That means learning as much as you can about effective short- and long-range strategic planning as well as marketing and sales for small septic business growth.

If you have those things in place and are ready to stick with your entrepreneurial venture through all the challenges and frustrations of the startup process, congratulations! You’re ready to start and succeed in your own septic service business.

www.americanliquidwaste.com JULY 2023 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE 41
42 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us 12 Pumper | December 2021 BATHROOM • SHOWER • SPECIALTY TRAILERS Vacuum Sales Inc. 51 Stone Road, Lindenwold, NJ 08021 800-547-7790 • fax: 856-627-3044 Order Discounted Pumps Online 24 hours a day 7 days a week We Service What We Sell www.vacuumsalesinc.com parts@vacuumsalesinc.com
44 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us MARKETPLACE: NATIONAL Buy my septic tank business in 3 Miles from the Atlantic Ocean and most of my work is near the beach. My good name and reputation, and after 48 years in the business for at least 30 days after purchase to assist in Septic Pump Truck, 8yd Dump Trailer, F150 Service Truck, Misc. Tools, Yellow Page Ad and ICE & SNOW? ADVERTISING HONDA ENGINES DELIVERED PRICE 800.786.9274 Un contacto en Espanol: llama al: Specify Red & White or Black GX120QX - 4HP $375 GX160QX - 5.5HP $375 GX200QX - 6.5HP $399 GX270QAG - 9HP $579 GX390QA - 13HP $599 ERICKSON Tank & Pump W E T 509.785.2955 CALL FOR UPDATED LIST OF EQUIPMENT THANK YOU DYNAMIC REPAIRS 40 Arnot St., Unit 20 Lodi, NJ 07644 dynamiccablerepairs@yahoo.com www.dynamicrepairs.net INSPECTION CAMERAS ale F $24,995! • Cleans Drains from 2”-8”+ Fully loaded! Call for details! 1-800-213-3272 or Only 24995! • 35 HP Vanguard • Remote Control Most Versatile Jetter THANK YOU ONLY CONFINED SPACE Refrigerator Magnets Work! All Enquires pleas e contact Pamela Atherton, President 30 Pumper | December 2021 Conserve your working capital. Keep existing credit lines intact, and enjoy the security of knowing financing is there when you need it. We offer loan and leasing plans tailored to individual needs. 100% FINANCING. NO DOWN PAYMENT. If you are having difficulty getting the Credit you need call Jim Thomas. NEW AND USED WASTEWATER EQUIPMENT v Programs offer longer terms for older equipment v We do start ups v Seasonal Payment Programs Available Toll-Free 877-333-4539 JimThomas @ KeyCommercial.com Commerical Equipment Financing www.keycommercial.com JIM THOMAS SINCE 1997 KEY COMMERCIAL CORP. Commercial Equipment Leasing KEY COMMERCIAL CORP Commercial Equipment easing We Have Money To Loan VACUUM TECHNOLOGY Westmoor Ltd., Sherrill, NY • westmoorltd.com • orders@westmoorltd.com • 1-800-367-0972 Made in USA Since 1939 Pumps - 35 Thru 230 CFM Vacuum (only) & Vacuum/Pressure Ideal for Indoor/Remote Jobs PowerPaks - Gas & Diesel Powered Belt Drive & Direct Drive For: grease trap service pumping, machine coolant pumping-cleaning, remote portable toilet pumping, marina vacuum pump out service, or any pumping and transfer of liquid waste
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46 AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE JULY 2023 Visit Us INDEX Abbott Rubber CO. Inc. 2 800-852-1855 / pumperhose.com American Jetter .................................................................. 44 866-944-3569 / americanjetter.com American Tank Co. 41 254-721-5675 / atcvacuumtruck.com AR North America. 12 763-398-2008 / arnorthamerica.com Arcan Enterprises. 41 888-352-7226 Aqua-Zyme Disposal Systems Inc.............................. 21 979-245-5656 / aqua-zyme.com Armal Inc 17 866-873-7796 / armal.biz Bio Microbics 16 800-753-3287 / biomicrobics.com Bright Dyes 44 800-394-0678 / brightdyes.com Bucher Municipal 45 704-658-1333 / buchermunicipal.com Cam Spray 31 800-648-5011 / camspray.com Century Chemical Corp 31 centurychemical.com Com Vac .................................................................................. 5 800-243-7986 / comvacsystems.com Comforts of Home 46 877-382-2935 / cohsi.com Coxreels 30 800-269-7335 / coxreels.com Ecological Laboratories Inc. 42 800-326-7867 / propump.com Eljen Corp. ............................................................................ 24 800-444-1359 / eljen.com F.M. Manufacturing 35 877-889-2246 / fmmfg.com FMC Advisors 2 727-486-0306 / 407-765-9440 / fmcadvisors.com Fruitland Manufacturing ................................................ 43 800-663-9003 / fruitlandmanufacturing.com General Pump 20 888-474-5487 / generalpump.com Geneva Equipment 4 855-459-4350 / genevaequipment.com Greasezilla 28 304-658-4778 / greasezilla.com GSBB Services, LLC ............................................................ 44 843-535-5712 / gsbb.biz Guzzler 11 guzzler.com Imperial Industries Inc 3 800-558-2945 / imperialind.com In The Round Dewatering 36 317-539-7511 / ITRDewatering.com J.C. Gury Company Inc. 6 800-903-3385 / jcgury.com Jet. 42 800-321-6960 / jetincorp.com Key Commercial Corp. 42 877-333-4539 / keycommercial.com Lane's Vacuum Tank, Inc.................................................. 26 800-592-3308 / lanesmobilejohn.com McKee Technologies 39 866-457-5425 / mckeetechnologies.com Mid-State Tank Co., Inc 21 800-722-8384 /m idstatetank.com Milwaukee Rubber Products 29 800-325-3730 / milwaukeerubber.com National Vacuum Equipment, Inc. ............................... 23 800-253-5500 / natvac.com Norweco. 7 800-667-9326 /norweco.com Paul Swoyer Septics LLC 15 830-935-4936 Peterson Products ............................................................... 6 800-669-1434 / pipeplug.com Power Line Industries / Hot Jet USA 44 800-213-3272 / hotjetusa.com Presby Environmental Inc. 2 800-473-5298 / presbyenvironmental.com Public Works Expo 37 pwx.apwa.com RapidView ........................................................................... BC 800-656-4225 / rapidview.com RCS II Inc 6, 16 518-812-0000 / septicdrainer.com Robuschi 25 gardnerdenverproducts.com Roeda 30 800-829-3021 / store.roeda.com Roth Global Plastics 4 866-943-7256 / roth-america.com Stamp Works 44 800-758-2743 / sales@stampworks.net T & T Tools Inc. 29 800-521-6893 / mightyprobe.com Transway Systems Inc. ..................................................... 27 800-263-4508 / transwaysystems.com VacCon 13 904-493-4969 / vac- con.com Vactor Impact. 33 vactor.com Wee Engineer 19 877-296-2555 / wee-engineer.com Water Expo .......................................................................... 47 305-412-3976 / thewaterexpo.com Westmoor Ltd 44 800-367-0972 / westmoorltd.com

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