Dear Pumper:
I enjoy Pumper tremendously, as well as many other COLE Publishing publications. Where else can you get so much relevant information about our industry?
As an alternative system maintenance provider — but not a waste hauler — we often contact our local pumpers to empty treatment tanks, STEP and other tanks or manholes for our clients as part of routine service. I have seen good ones, and I’ve seen bad ones. My referral list has grown pretty short over the years, unfortunately.
I have often wondered if the pumpers know what we like best about them. Here is my list of what I like in a pumper:
One who shares what he knows best and asks questions about the stuff he knows less about.
One who says, “Pump the tank when it needs to be pumped” instead of “Pump it every two to three years.”
One who shows up five minutes before our scheduled appointment time so I’m not waiting for 45 minutes with the pump vault pulled out of the tank and sitting in the front yard.
One who ensures that lids are screwed down, or that I will screw them down, before he leaves the site.
One who doesn’t exaggerate the poor condition of the septic tank to our mutual client.
One who tries to understand the treatment system he is servicing, rather than assuming and conveying inaccurate or misleading information to the client.
One who shows his professionalism by wearing gloves and clean clothes, avoiding conversations about drunken weekend escapades, washing down sludge residue on the lawn, and carefully restoring the site as close to its original condition as possible.
One who assesses the solids accumulation in the tank before pumping it, so they can give an accurate estimate of pumping frequency to the client.
One who understands the value of relationships, making sure that both the client and I (the one who referred him) are happy with his work.
One who understands the importance of his job for public health, and shows by his actions that he actually loves what he does.
These are the guys I love hanging out with around the septic tank.
Mike Stephens
SCS Systems LLC
Haslett, Mich.
