Septic Tank Maint.

PILOON · Mar 6, 2006

Highbeam

The particular pumper does that all the time.
The environment guys say that it is the latest trend in pumping.
Also he claimed that by returning the fluid that he was 'priming' the system and saving me adding starter enzimes.
Personally I think he is one BS artist aka con man.
He is very aggressive and has driven out all competition in the area, uses marketing ploys like discounts if your owners association endorses his service.
Also recently was fined $35,000. for dumping his loads in an open field.
Charges $150 per pumping of 750 gal tank with his method can do about 10 per day. That's BIG dollars over a years time.
Problem is he has the law on his side.

He constantly lobbies municipalities to require proof of pumping stating that it is in the code and that they need to uphold the law.

Also was cought dumping storm sewer contents into a river as he had the municipal pumping contract.
He claimed that storm sewers go there anyway and that his tanker had been flushed clean of septic tank remenants.
Why is it that I don't believe him?

Just greedy, wants more loads per hr and less mileage on his equipment.

In fact there is a problem as to accessable dump sites.
With no municipality wanting one 'in their back yard', pump trucks have a long distance to go with fuel costs not going down.

But what other choice do we have?

I just won't deal with him again if possible to find an alternate.

LBrown59 · Mar 6, 2006

( Highbeam

The particular pumper does that all the time.
The environment guys say that it is the latest trend in pumping.
Also he claimed that by returning the fluid that he was 'priming' the system and saving me adding starter enzimes.
Personally I think he is one BS artist aka con man.
He is very aggressive and has driven out all competition in the area, uses marketing ploys like discounts if your owners association endorses his service.
Also recently was fined $35,000. for dumping his loads in an open field.
Charges $150 per pumping of 750 gal tank with his method can do about 10 per day. That's BIG dollars over a years time.
Problem is he has the law on his side.

He constantly lobbies municipalities to require proof of pumping stating that it is in the code and that they need to uphold the law.

Also was cought dumping storm sewer contents into a river as he had the municipal pumping contract.
He claimed that storm sewers go there anyway and that his tanker had been flushed clean of septic tank remenants.
Why is it that I don't believe him?

Just greedy, wants more loads per hr and less mileage on his equipment.

In fact there is a problem as to accessable dump sites.
With no municipality wanting one 'in their back yard', pump trucks have a long distance to go with fuel costs not going down.

But what other choice do we have?

I just won't deal with him again if possible to find an alternate. )
 xxxXXXXXxxx 
Knowing all this about him why did you hire him to pump your tank? ? ?

rambler · Mar 6, 2006

That pumper would not be on my property.

--->Paul

Highbeam · Mar 6, 2006

You don't need seed enzymes or starter bacteria after pumping. Your first turd is all you need, mother nature has you covered.

I would go to great lengths to avoid that pumper on principle alone. Even if it costs a bit more. I don't buy his excuses, I see that he is a crook from what you describe. 10 loads in one day in a 2000 gallon tanker tells me he is only taking 200 gallons from each 1000 gallon septic tank. 20% even if he could only suck the sludge and scum is not enough volume. You know the answer on that guy, your problem is that the competition is gone. Maybe next time, ask him for a price if he takes the contents and leaves an empty tank.

midlf · Mar 7, 2006

I don't know who gets the forms. Some houses we looked at in Waukesha county had a 3 year pumping requirement on the real estate disclosure form. We had none here and I asked on purchase. I also asked at our town and was told "not in Palmyra township". Thats fine with me.

I will have ours pumped at 3 years and see how it is going, then decide on future interval.

Clyde · Mar 7, 2006

Midlf - I'm north of you but in Wisc. I built my house in 1977 and I don't get a 3 year pumping alert from the state. I think the 3 year mandatory pumping regulations took effect in 1978. Either that or the state lost my file and that is fine with me. Just like you - I do have mine pumped every 3 - 4 years and it has worked out just fine and no problems. The last thing I want is to have to relocate my drainfield and have the DNR looking over my shoulder!!!!

Clyde

PILOON · Mar 7, 2006

Believe me he will never be back .

I got him by default as I actually called another pumper that he had bought out.
Problem was that he kept the same phone number and had it 'call forwarded' to his office.
With all his 'solids only' scam he cuts prices and with the high profits buys out all the competition.

I mentioned that the environment folks were in accord with his methods.
I had called to expose him but it would seem that he has convinced some of them that his way is better as they had no objections to his method.

While I have not gone in depth researching, I get the feeling that the only concern our environment folks have is the frequancy of pumping and dump sites.

I wonder if standards actually exist as to pumping operations.

Around here as of last year the cities now oblige us to hire a soil engineer for 'perqulation' tests and require surveyed plans.

Naturally the engineer calls for a backhoe to dig a dozen holes (another $500.) into which he pours 5 gals of water and times the drainage.

The survey must have neighbors wells and septic systems shown as well as the property limits.
That costs $1000.(surveyor)

The engineer eats up a cool $1000. accompanied with a signature with the statement that he is not responsible for his plans.

At present a septic system runs about $12000.
Trippled in one year.

God help you if both neighbors wells are on the property line and your lot is minimal in size.