Early in its existence, A 1st Rate Pumping Service became a go-to company known for its industry savvy and expertise. As professional waste handlers, the Southwicks made it a point to educate legislators, restaurant owners and the community about all things pumping-related.“We stayed very politically active, and Mark did a lot of lobbying for different types of legislation, such as logical regulation of grease traps,” recalls Julie Southwick. “One local legislator didn’t even know restaurants had liquid waste. Nobody knew about liquid waste back then.”Lincoln, Nebraska, was one of the first places in the United States to move to a digester system
