The national septic tank cleaning and maintenance market is booming. While many retailers and other business types across the private sector of the US economy are struggling, the septic systems service industry is projected to reach around $1.4 billion by 2032. That staggering number represents a vast wealth of opportunities for startups and the growth of existing installation, tank pumping, systems inspection, and repair services. This applies to even the most fiercely competitive rural residential areas. Operators who adopt new technologies and other ideas for improving service and minimizing costs can gain advantages for increasing market share.
New Septic Services Operations Technologies
Before we suggest that you update your septic service technology, here are some examples of what we’re talking about. The few most impactful technologies rolling out now in the US septic services industry right now include the new state-of-the-art septic tank cleaning technology from Canadian inventors at Omega LWS in Ontario. Their sewage water filtration truck replaces the now unnecessary, cumbersome and costly approach of hauling all the sewage water away from each customer’s property, along with the solid waste matter, for dumping elsewhere.
This new process enables pumpers to finely filter the septic tank water at the customer’s property and then leave it in their tank, instead of loading it up and hauling the massive weight and volume of wastewater away. The advantages of using this advanced technology are enormous for septic service business operators and their customers.
Homeowners increasingly seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint. So, predictably, new solar pump technologies with applications for septic systems are now gaining sales traction. For a couple of examples, solar-powered transfer pumps are moving wastewater from the tank to the leach field, and air replacement pumps are now being used to aerate the tank and thereby promote the bacterial process of breaking down waste.
Another transformative new technology class in the industry is the new comprehensive service business operations platforms that integrate all of your company’s functions, from communications to field services documentation, to invoicing, to payment processing, quality process tracking, expense logging, customer relationship management (CRM), payroll, interactive vendor transactions, and much more.
5 Tips for Increasing Profits in Septic Services
Consider these systemic upgrades to set your business apart in your market and maximize your small business profits, build your local brand, and simplify your operations in scalable ways that have inherently high competitive appeal and are conducive to replication:
| 1. Set Prices Competitively. | Attractive pricing that does not undercut your ability to profit is essential to short- and long-term success. So, conduct a competitive market analysis to determine where your business currently fits in local comparative pricing for its major services. Also, locate your business operations to create a service radius nearest to the heart of the area you want to serve, to reduce travel costs and related expenses. |
| 2. Invest in Training. | Advertising your service team’s industry certifications promotes customer confidence and trust as you work to build a local brand on your expertise and reliability. InterNACHI, with over 24,000 members, offers Septic Tank Inspector certification and over 60 other professional certifications for septic tank services business operators and their employees. |
| 3. Update Technology and Processes. | As you well know, neighbors talk, and so do friends, family members, and coworkers. The word spreads quickly about which services are best and worst in an area, for example, which offers the most advanced technology, highest quality processes, etc. Your septic service technicians also want to work with equipment that enables them to perform their best quality work most safely and conveniently. |
| 4. Promote Your Environmental Practices. | Explain to your customers how your company’s equipment, knowledgeable professionals, and management processes all together provide more efficient and greener outcomes for them than old, outmoded equipment, septic system cleaning and maintenance processes, and service management tools can deliver. |
| 5. Increase Digital Marketing. | People look online first for services these days. That makes your website (and your Facebook page) critical for easy introduction to your company. Make sure your site includes some compelling images and is complete with interactive links that enable customers and prospects to communicate with you. |
Opportunities for Septic Service Business Owners
Based on the industry’s financial performance year over year, significant profit and growth opportunities are indicated by the current industry data noted above. So, if your goal is to grow through this year and the next several, now is the time to position your business more strategically by implementing some of the above tips and others.
Aggressive competitors who pull out all the stops discussed above to provide customers with the best service by using the best equipment, technical processes, and operations management systems tend to render the most outstanding overall results and customer experience.
Therefore, whether you’re aiming to scale your small septic service business rapidly over the next few years or to nurture it toward organic growth through word-of-mouth from one satisfied customer at a time, consider implementing one or more of the tips offered above this year. Those actions will help improve service quality and the competitive edge that that will naturally give your business.
Additional Information Sources for Readers
Septic Tank Market Key Business Strategies, Demand (Dec 30, 2024)
Septic, Drain & Sewer Cleaning Services in the US industry – Analysis, Trends, and Insights
https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/septic-drain-sewer-cleaning-services/4710
Are Septic Pumper Trucks in High Demand? (Nov 21, 2024) Growth for the Septic, Drain, and Sewer Cleaning Industry According to Fortune Business Insights, from Beacon Funding
https://www.beaconfunding.com/blog/are-septic-pumper-trucks-in-high-demand
How to Start a Septic Tank Business & Grow It (Oct 22, 2024)https://www.servicetitan.com/blog/septic-tank-business-tips