October 2008 Table of Contents

Features

• 4Reading Between the Lines: Enjoy a Harvest of Interesting Stories
  Like so many leaves falling to the ground through much of the U.S. this month, this issue of Pumper is blanketed with colorful and unique characters from the liquid waste industry.
• 10Building the Business: Expect a Run on Gold Watches
  The coming years will bring a record number of employee retirements. Make sure you’re prepared for the exodus of baby boomers.
• 18Rules and Regs: Virginia Adds Mandatory Maintenance and Onsite System Evaluator and Designer Credentials
  Virginia law requiring mandatory maintenance for all alternative onsite systems goes into effect July 1, 2009
• 28Cover Story: In Good Hands
  Valuable life lessons and understanding of the business resulted in an orderly family ownership transition for Old Pueblo Septic and Drain Service
• 38Special Feature: Pain at the Pump
  Supply and demand issues have turned fuel prices upside down in recent months as traditionally economical diesel has trumped gasoline
• 48Special Feature: Big & Brawny
  We offer a by-the-numbers peek at the latest chassis choices for septic hauling rigs
• 56Special Feature: It’s a Dirty Job ...
  The pumpers at Evans Septic Tank Service show they’re proud to serve the North Dakota State Fair
• 76Overheard Online: Endless Billing
  The tank has been pumped. The bill has been sent. A poster wonders what to do when a customer refuses to pay.

Columns

• 64After Hours: A Growing Hobby
  Central Pennsylvania gardener shares septic tank knowledge with other flower enthusiasts
• 70Money Manager: Be a Miser with Expenses, a Hog with Savings
  Follow this common sense approach to running your business and do a better job of weathering the next recession
• 82Reader Pipelines: Mind Your Lugnuts
  Picking the right truck for the job and maintaining it carefully will keep a pumper’s job going smoothly
• 90Septic System Answer Man: Proper Venting Eliminates Odors
  When customers complain about a whiff of rotten eggs caused by the septic system, a quick fix usually takes care of the problem
• 98NAWT: Take Charge — Become a Responsible Management Entity
  The Water Environment Research Foundation, or WERF, funded research that identified business characteristics common among 15 successful Responsible Management Entities, or RMEs.
• 104Product Spotlight: Pacific Natural Energy Corp. Bio-Box
  The Bio-Box biodiesel fuel factory from Pacific Natural Energy Corp. enables pumpers to economically make fuel from things they’d normally pay to dispose of like grease-trap waste and waste fryer grease.
• 112Association News: Association News; Training and Education; Calendar
  This all-in-one resource will point you to the information you need.
• 122Industry News: Industry News
  Lenzyme Designs Maintenance Brochure; Capital Rubber Raises $1,500 for Troops; Hannay Releases Pressure Wash, Spray Hose Reel Catalog; Simple Solutions Adds Distributors
• 144Classy Trucks: Classy Truck of the Month
  This month we feature Advantage Septic & Drain