I don’t want to address the political battles or talk about the actions of a specific hauler in question. Rather, I want to refer to this rancorous situation as a “teachable moment.” My point is this: If we as an industry want to be considered professionals, we need to act professionally … all of us and all the time. And if contractors want to continue to land-apply septage wherever that practice is still allowed, they need to follow the letter of the law and prove they are concerned about the environment.
I won’t argue over whether or not an individual pumper is being fairly criticized for overspreading septage. In this case and others, pumpers have been fined and held up to public scrutiny for violations. Whether these cases were the result of an inadvertent recordkeeping error or blatant illegal dumping doesn’t matter much in the court of public opinion. What matters more — in the long run — is the reputation of pumping contractors as respected environmental services professionals
Sure, the general public doesn’t always understand that land-spreading of septage is an accepted practice in many states and is carefully watched by health and environment departments. The public hears about a violation and is less apt to believe what the industry and environmental officials tell them about safe spreading.
Take this story for example: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/opinion/column/guest/helen-sarakinos-septic-waste-spread-on-fields-a-raw-deal/article_421a4b8a-9bc7-11e1-9a75-0019bb2963f4.html
This guest columnist in the Wisconsin State Journal, prompted by the current controversy, advocates for eliminating all land-spreading of human waste. I cringed when the writer lumps all pumpers into the same group:
“The industry is comprised largely of smaller operators unaccustomed or unwilling to operate under permits and who, according to conservation professionals, are more apt to play ‘fast and loose’ with the minimal requirements they do have,’’ wrote Helen Sarakinos, the water policy program director for the River Alliance of Wisconsin.
It doesn’t matter if this statement is untrue or a mischaracterization of the vast majority of pumping contractors. It’s what this writer — and a certain number of readers of the story — will believe from now on. Pumpers need to fight these perceptions at every turn. The first component of the battle is following regulations carefully and holding industry colleagues to the same high standards. Then communicate about your environmentally responsible practices with customers and local policymakers.
Do you have a comment. Post your response right here.
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My most valued employee and I are life members of the Masonic fraternities. We are proud to be endowed life members of the Scottish Rite, which operates children's hospitals. We are also endowed life members of Ben Hur Shrine, which contributes to the Shriners burns centers. All of these children's hospitals are the most innovative leading hospitals in their fields and all the services provided for these children, which are extremely expensive, cost the children's families absolutely zero. The saying of the shrine is: “No man stands so tall as when he stoops down to help a child.”
Thanks to Jimmie for sharing his dedication to the cause of children’s charities. I know many small businesses contribute greatly to worthy causes, both locally and globally. Examples like Jimmie’s reflect well on the individual as well as the industry at large.
How about your pumping business? What charity programs do you like to support? Give us a shout out about your favorite local cause and let us know what you did to lend a hand. Share your story right here, or drop me a line at editor@pumper.com.
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http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120124/LIVING/201240314/-1/NEWSMAP
According to the newspaper account, M & S raised the money by contributing $10 from each septic tank they pumped. The contractor serves residents in Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania, Orange County, N.Y., and Sussex County, N.J.
Congratulations to M & S for giving back to the community that supports their business. The good deed will undoubtedly come back to them in good will and customer loyalty
How about your pumping business? What local charity programs do you like to support? Give us a shout out about your favorite local cause and let us know what you did to lend a hand. Share your story right here, or drop me a line at editor@pumper.com.
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A man who rented a room at the house told authorities he was surprised the hole was large enough for the girl to fall through. A neighbor reported that he’d smelled a foul odor around the septic tank for more than a year and wondered if it was broken. It’s inconceivable how a tank can be left open for more than a year, creating a hazard for children who play in the neighborhood.
How many times do we have to read these reports before public education takes hold and we avoid these terrible incidents? As an industry, we need keep telling homeowners about the dangers of failing to properly monitor and maintain septic tanks. Pumping professionals can follow best practices for septic tank maintenance, but the owners of these systems must also be diligent to ensure we’re not hearing about the death of another innocent child in the future.
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Beginning in January, drivers caught talking on the cell phone while hauling a rig with a gross weight of 10,001 pounds or more are subject to a $2,750 fine for the first offense, while the driver’s employer can be fined $11,000, said Bob Kolvey Safety Director for the Motor Carrier Compliance & Safety Co. Drivers can also lose their CDL for 60 days after two infractions.
Many Pumper & Cleaner attendees at the seminar were surprised by the new DOT rules, and had many questions about other changes in driver rules. Kolvey’s talk was part of the Expo’s Education Day event.
]]>On Thursday, March 1, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., you can gather with contractors from across the country to compare notes on a variety of important industry topics – Everything from waste disposal challenges to the latest ideas in social media marketing. All you have to do is show up in the restaurant area of the Indiana Convention Center, sit down with a great hot breakfast and start talking.
Tables will be organized by topic and attendees will be able to rotate from one table to another to take part in a variety of discussions. Each discussion will be moderated by a table leader who will take notes and summarize the comments at the end of the roundtable.
At the 2011 Expo, I met topnotch service providers at the Roundtable Discussions. Many said they would return to this year because of the valuable advice they received from colleagues in the industry. Why not get up early and join us this year? It’ll be a unique networking experience for all of us.
For more information on the Expo, go to www.pumpershow.com.
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I feel the same way about the Expo. Sure, I rely on my attendance to develop my knowledge about the cutting-edge technologies that drive the growing professionalism and capabilities of the industry. But I also cherish being able to reconnect with the many contractors I’ve met over the years. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you in Indy next week.
If you’ve never attended the Expo, why not start the tradition – and make a bunch of new friends – this year. There’s still time to plan your trip to the Indiana Convention Center. To learn how, go to www.pumpershow.com.
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Atkins has recorded many top 10 hits, starting in 2003 with “Honesty (Write Me a List)’’ from his first album entitled Honesty. A familiar voice on country radio for almost a decade, Atkins struck gold in 2006 and 2007, when his singles, “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)’’ and “Watching You,’’ hit No. 1 and were named the top country songs of the year by Billboard magazine.
In 2010, Atkins hit with “Farmer’s Daughter,’’ and he’s currently touring with his fourth album, with a title cut “Take a Back Road,’’ which hit No. 1 just a few months ago.
The Industry Appreciation Party – with its festive atmosphere and 25-cent tap beers –begins at 5 p.m. Both the Industry Appreciation Party and Atkins’ live performance are included with full Expo registration. Learn more at www.pumpershow.com.
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And not just see it. Touch it, feel it. Check out the quality of manufacture like you never could through a website or a brochure. Expand on your knowledge of new products by talking to the manufacturer’s reps on hand to help you at the Expo. And if you want to compare similar products head to head, you can do it easily at the Expo.
Planning your visit to the Expo’s hundreds of exhibitors has never been easier. An interactive floor plan, a complete exhibitor’s list and other tools to help in your planning are available at www.pumpershow.com.
Check it out and register online for the Expo.
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And the education opportunities continue on Tuesday, Feb. 28:
And on Wednesday, Feb. 29:
http://pce12.mapyourshow.com/5_0/sessions/session_results.cfm?type=date&date=02/29/2012
If you take nothing else away from the Expo than the myriad of educational opportunities, the trip to the Indiana Convention Center will be well worth your time. But, as I will show over the next four days, there are many reasons why Expo registration is the best business development bargain you’ll ever encounter. Stay tuned.
For complete information on the Expo, go to www.pumpershow.com.
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