After years of funding public sewer projects to serve the growing population around Branson, Missouri, local government decided to extend some of the benefit to owners of residential septic systems. In 2014, the county spent $73,000 to pay the entire cost of pumping septic tanks on 500 properties. It worked so well they repeated the program in 2015.

As Branson began to grow in the early 1990s, Taney County officials proposed a half-cent sales tax for wastewater capital improvements, which was approved by voters in 1993. “Due to the popularity of Branson as a tourist destination, a lot of people moved to the area and there was a lot of concern about our lakes and streams,” explains John Soutee, project coordinator for Taney County Environmental Services. The tax brings in just over $7 million a year and has funded $60 million worth of central sewer projects.

“As the years went by, the idea was that we should take a portion of this money to encourage people to have their septic tanks pumped and properly maintained until public sewer is provided to their area,” adds Soutee. He had spent 22 years with the regional sewer district, which had provided $75 toward the cost of a pumpout. When he moved to the county Environmental Services Department in 2013, he brought the idea with him and county commissioners decided to cover the entire cost of pumping. The $73,000 annual expenditure represents less than 1 percent of the sales tax revenue.

BID FOR SERVICE

Boerman’s Septic Tank Services of Kirbyville, Missouri, was the successful bidder to provide the service at a cost of $145 for tanks near wastewater treatment plants that accept septage. Those farther from the plants cost as much as $170. The county funding includes the tipping fee charged by the treatment plants.

“One thing we’ve been able to do is keep our price very low – $145 for a pumpout is about as cheap as you can get,” says Matt Cardwell, one of the owners of the family-run business in its 47th year of operation. “There’s no meat on the bone unless you have high volume.”

With four to five trucks on the road every day, they make money through productivity. “We maximize the locations, send one truck to one area and keep it there to save on fuel and time.” With good planning, Cardwell says doing several jobs in the same area helps save time, mileage, and wear and tear on equipment.

More than 500,000 gallons of wastewater were pumped from 510 tanks in 2014. Some properties had two-tank septic systems and there were a few properties with more than one septic system, such as a house and a mobile home on the same lot. “We don’t just pump one tank and leave one, we’ll pump out all the tanks on the property,” says Soutee.

The program has no income restrictions but can be used only once in four years, and the property cannot have access to public sewer. The homeowner is responsible for locating the tank and uncovering the access lid. “We also won’t pump tanks that are part of a centralized (cluster or large-scale onsite) system,” adds Soutee. “We have some subdivisions where the homeowner has a septic tank to remove solids and the effluent goes to a system that serves the entire subdivision. It’s our feeling that there should be (maintenance) money collected as part of the overall centralized system.”

HOMEOWNER EDUCATION

Cardwell provides customer information about septic system operation and proper care. He notes a general lack of knowledge. “For the vast majority, I’ll show them the surface sludge and explain how the tank operates. About two out of every three jobs, the customers are not aware that they were supposed to be maintaining their tanks. They claim that now that they’ve been educated, they’ll be properly maintaining it.”

A minority aren’t too interested in learning about proper maintenance. “Some people just don’t want any part of it and won’t come out while we’re pumping,” he says. “I get the gut feeling that a small percentage are just taking advantage of the program and won’t ever pay for pumping themselves, even if they know better.”

Boerman’s provides a minor inspection, looking for obvious issues including root intrusion, deterioration of a baffle or other structural problems. Each system is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst. “Most of them are running around 7 or 8,” says Soutee. “I’m pleased they’re finding that most of the tanks are in pretty good shape and seem to be working as they should be.”

Cardwell will recommend repairs or replacement of systems when needed. That work is not covered by the program, so it has led to some follow-up repair business.

MORE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS?

Soutee strongly endorses this type of program to foster improved system maintenance, but only if there is a sound funding source. And he says having a good contractor is essential for a successful program. Effective communication is key, so it requires a septic service company that is responsive. You must also make sure there is enough staff to handle the applications and recordkeeping. Soutee has been able to handle most of it himself but does get help from county staff.

Cardwell also endorses the idea, though the logistics are much more complicated for the contractor. “At times, we were buried over 380 jobs deep. And that was just with this program. Those had nothing to do with my day-to-day business.”

After getting the list of participants, the company has to contact each homeowner and schedule an appointment. The wait time is commonly two to three weeks. To keep the scheduling and dispatching straight, Cardwell uses a software program he designed himself using his background in information technology.

The 500 slots went quickly for 2015. An average of about 100 applications for the free service come in every month. He wants to increase the number of pumping slots and expects to repeat the program this year. “The county commissioners are pleased with the program and the response it is getting. I hope we can continue doing this,” he says.