November 2009 Table of Contents

Features

• 4Reading Between the Lines: Maintenance = Profits and Customer Goodwill
  
• 14Building the Business: One-on-One Time
  Taking time for individual meetings with employees can strengthen your business
• 22Rules and Regs: A County in Washington State Rules Homeowners Can Service and Inspect their Septic Systems
  
• 28Cover Story: Rapid Response
  An emphasis on employee training, on-call troubleshooters and a live person answering the telephone build a great customer service reputation for Olson’s Sewer Service Inc.
• 40Special Feature: Tank & Drainfield Additives
  Bacterial, chemical products are designed to restore flow and maintain healthy septic systems
• 48Profile: The Fixer
  Zaring Septic’s Dave Ritchie takes pride in the septic detective work he and his crew provide for customers in Kentucky
• 56Overheard Online: Offensive Odors at the RV Park
  A pumper who serves a campground thinks the group treatment system is dead or dying. What should he do?
• 60Interview: Septic System 101
  A New Hampshire video is designed to teach homeowners the nuts and bolts of their onsite systems. Pumpers everywhere can use this informative tool to aid in system maintenance.

Columns

• 44After Hours: A Pumper's Outdoor Paradise
  Joe Hall moved to Michigan’s scenic northwoods 26 years ago so he could fish and hunt more often. But business is so good he finds little time to do either.
• 64Reader Pipelines: Class is in Session
  Careful customer education is a time-consuming task, but pumpers say it pays off in better-planned septic system maintenance
• 70Septic System Answer Man: The Deep Freeze
  While it’s true that warmer septage will break down more efficiently, winter freezing is the bigger issue for onsite systems in northern regions
• 72NAWT: Extending a Hand
  Presenters at the NAWT Waste Treatment Symposium answer dewatering questions and offer business ideas worth their weight in gold
• 78Classy Trucks: Classy Truck of November
  This month we feature J.W. Field Septic Services
• 80Industry News: Industry News
  Bio-Microbics Receives Exporter of the Year Award; National Vacuum Equipment Opens Arkansas Distribution Center; Chemcorp Names Bamberg Executive VP; Walex Receives Export Achievement Award; Smith’s Septic Wins Pik Rite Show and Shine
• 84Product Spotlight: Wells Cargo Comfort Elite Platinum Edition
  
• 86Money Manager: Unemployment Rules
  Know your rights and the rights of your former employee before fighting a claim for unemployment benefits
• 88Association News: Association News
  Association News; Training & Education