Knee-jerk reaction from some people in Florida to an enacted – then repealed – state law requiring septic systems to be inspected every five years has been alarming and disappointing. And pumpers are bearing the brunt of the criticism.

Consider the blowback hauler Bob Himschoot got when he tried to defend the septic-pumping profession in an article in the Fort Myers News-Press.

"It's important to understand that a poorly maintained septic system can contaminate groundwater, result in costly drainfield repairs, or be a legal liability,'' Himschoot said, in part. "Properly maintained septic systems are healthy, environmentally sound and economically efficient wastewater treatment methods to protect Southwest Florida's fragile environment.''

Sounds like a perfectly reasonable response, doesn't it? Not to everyone in Florida.

"Politicians like (a local official) in cahoots with (expletive deleted) like Himschoot is a major and perfectly reasonable reason people hate government,'' cried reader Henry Baker.

"It all comes down to revenue – the county gets permit and inspection fees, the (another expletive deleted) Himschoot and his cronies get big revenue,'' railed writer Ron Garren.

HOOK ME TO THE BIG PIPE

And Florida editorial writers aren't just complaining about the costs associated with periodic system inspections. They're spreading misinformation about wastewater treatment costs in general, this writer begging to be hooked up to a municipal system to save money.

"If this septic waste is such a problem, then let's start laying pipe to eliminate trash tanks by hooking up to city sewers,'' the angry writer said in a letter to the Naples News. "I would rather pay an assessment to have city sewer than throw away $400 every five years to salivating septic companies.''

You know that the amount the editorial writer would pay to inspect and pump his onsite system every five years would be dwarfed by his cost to hook up to a municipal system and pay for ongoing treatment.

Florida pumpers – no, the entire onsite wastewater industry – needs to fire back against all this crazy talk. It's time for pumpers to stand up and give their side of the story. You are professionals who know the importance of septic system maintenance. And you ought to be insulted that these writers see you as greedy business owners simply out to reach into their pocket for money.

The State of Florida, working with the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association, developed a routine septic inspection law to address concerns over much of the state's high groundwater table and aging septic system infrastructure. It's true that some pumpers thought state officials went too far with the regulation, particularly wording that may have favored costly system replacement over repair options in some failed systems. But pumpers in general agree with required periodic pumping and system inspections to make systems last longer and to protect the environment.

OVERLOADED SYSTEMS

Talk to Wayne Crotty, for example, the owner of WB Septic & Site Work in Live Oak, Fla., a third-generation pumper. He knows many homeowners are ignoring their systems without required inspections in place.

"Not a day goes by that I don't pump a system that hasn't been opened in 30 years. You can almost walk on the solids. There's more sludge than water,'' Crotty said. "These systems go into failure and (homeowners) just take the washing machine off of them and run it into the back yard. There's no enforcement and no inspections and you get into a sanitary nuisance situation.''

Crotty doesn't understand the difference in attitudes over septic system care between Florida and Connecticut, where he lived and pumped for a time. When he worked in Connecticut, homeowners were in the habit of pumping their tanks every year, whether they needed it or not.

But in Florida, it's, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If we flush the toilet and it goes down, we don't care. All they care about is the bottom line.'' He's quick to point out that's not the attitude of all homeowners, but a fair number. He tries to explain to customers that a system failing after 20 years of neglect might have lasted 60 years with regular maintenance. But the message isn't getting through.

One thing Crotty suggests to customers is putting away $5 per month and then they'll have enough money to pay for a pump-out in about three years. That, he contends, would take care of the necessary maintenance.

CONSUMER EDUCATION IS KEY

In fact, the price of septic service is one area of misinformation in the present debate. While opponents of the law threw out that necessary work would cost $1,500 to $3,000, Crotty says his price to satisfy the mandate would have been $300: $200 for the pumping and $100 for the system evaluation.

Crotty is an active member of FOWA, and he said the association has an ongoing consumer education campaign, with members touting the importance of system maintenance. They want to help homeowners extend the life of their systems and put off costly replacement when possible. But he routinely is accused of ripping off customers who don't believe anything can be wrong with their systems.

"I'm insulted that the industry is looked at in this way,'' Crotty said. "The majority of us are professionals and we want this to be a professional industry. It's hard when you constantly have mud in your face.'' While pumpers want to earn a fair wage for their work, they are not, by and large, gouging their customers and consider themselves environmental stewards, Crotty said.

"It's very difficult to overcome stupidity,'' Himschoot said about countering users who say their systems need no maintenance. "Anything manmade needs to be maintained. You'll have to replace your roof if you don't clean the leaves off or clean out your gutters. Everything needs to be looked at in some point and time.''

Himschoot said it's up to the liquid waste industry to inform the general public, regulators and the homebuilding industry about the importance of maintenance. And the controversy in Florida shows the education effort isn't always working.

WE NEED TO DO MORE

"We have failed to educate the engineers, the planners and elected officials that managed septic systems, when designed and installed properly and managed, are an acceptable long-term solution for wastewater treatment,'' he said. Being blunt, Himschoot says not enough pumpers portray themselves in a professional manner and build on a reputation as onsite wastewater experts.

Himschoot and Crotty are two pumpers who aim to change that in dealings with the state legislature, local environmental departments and by talking to customers in their back yards. You can hear the FOWA public service announcement about septic system maintenance posted at the association's website, www.fowaonsite.com.

But in the meantime, things look bleak. In Bay County, one of a small number of environmentally sensitive Florida counties given the choice to keep the five-year inspections, officials unanimously opted out of the program. It's clear they don't understand the intricacies of a septic system.

"People understand when they have to have their septic tank pumped out and we just don't need to pile regulations on them," Commissioner Bill Dozier told the media. "(Opting out) is in lockstep with what we're trying to do, less government ... too many government regulations are not good for people.''

Regardless about how you feel about government regulations in general, that controversial issue shouldn't be allowed to cloud the commonsense message that septic systems require some level of oversight and maintenance to avoid becoming a source of pollution. Here's hoping residents come to that understanding ... before they experience a catastrophic system failure and the resulting pollution causes widespread sickness.