We Must Reverse the Aging of the Wastewater Industry

As many pumpers and installers are hitting retirement age, the need to bring younger people into our service companies is reaching a critical stage

We Must Reverse the Aging of the Wastewater Industry

The graphics on one of Jerry Pearce’s service trailers.

In States Snapshot, we visit with a member of a state, provincial or national trade association in the decentralized wastewater industry. This time we learn about a member of the North Carolina Septic Tank Association.

Jerry Pearce - president

Business: Pearce Environmental Technologies, Rolesville, North Carolina

Age: 46

Years in the industry: 37 

Yes, I started at a young age in the family business — Pearce Backhoe & Septic Tank Service — riding around in the truck and helping out.

Association involvement: 

North Carolina Septic Tank Association for 11 years — president, board of directors. North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board for approximately seven years — state-appointed board member.

Benefits of belonging to the association: 

The North Carolina association is a respected group that educates and mentors members of the legislative body when needed. By doing so, we are able to collaborate for equal government to all involved with the onsite industry.

Biggest issue facing your association right now: 

There’s a lack of reputable and knowledgeable incoming youth to replace aging members in the trade. With a room of over 900 at our annual convention three or four years ago, less than one percent was younger than 35, and a lot of the others were 60‑plus. We try to assist with things like business succession through various programs, helping young people get exposure. When I was growing up, a lot of people thought of the trades as being the last thing on their list, but I think people are starting to see a little bit more the importance of it. It’s becoming more recognized and respected. Not everybody is made out to be a computer information technology guy or to sit in an office all day. So, I think we’re gaining ground. Certainly the emphasis from the industry is that in five or eight years, it’ll be a supply and demand issue, and if you’re in the right spot at the right time, you’ll have access to a good living if you do the right thing.

Our crew includes:

There’s several people who work with me on a shared basis with the family business — brother Stacy Pearce, nephew Graham Pearce, and college student James Bullock.

Typical day on the job: 

It’s dependent on the phone calls received and the priorities encountered. We’re a complete service provider — anything from inspections for point-of-sale to installations, operations, repairs, pumping, subsurface operator for low-pressure pipe systems and other types of systems. I’m also a licensed public utility contractor for specialty systems — building dewatering facilities or large-scale pretreatment systems on commercial sites.

Helping hands - indispensable crew member: 

I rely on family members, including my parents Frank and LaFon Pearce. Their business and mine work closely together. Accountability is key, and I have much less to worry about when they are involved. We are hands-on in our approach and do not have to rely on subcontractors except in specialty applications. When we do, it usually involves someone we have known for an extended time.

The job I’ll never forget: 

What stands out is my very first commercial job because this was the first “big job” when I started my own company 10 years ago. It was for a large-volume septic tank replacement at a public school due to deterioration and age on an existing sand filter bed. They had to update the baffle tanks. We were referred by a local engineer, got on the short preferred list and competitively bid the job. That was one of the things that involved having a public utility license because of the dollar amount of the job.

My favorite piece of equipment: 

The vehicle setup I have provides efficiency. My service truck (a 2008 Dodge 4500) is the main “hub.” That’s what I spend time in every day. And then I have a couple specialty cargo trailers that I hook up to it depending on the job. One is specifically for septic service with all different size pumps from small to 5 hp, as well as all the supplies for electrical components for control panels and floats. I’m also a well pump contractor so my other specialty trailer carries all that equipment. For pumping jobs, we’ve got a 1999 Freightliner with a 3,800-gallon Lely Tank & Waste Solutions tank. Our intention is, when we pull up to a site for any kind of issue, other than a long extended project, we have what we need. We don’t pull up, see what we need, leave and come back three hours later. Efficiency is what I grew up doing, learning from my dad — investing a little bit upfront gets you a return in the future.

Most challenging site I’ve worked on: 

It was an E‑Z Treat pretreatment system for a commercial manufacturing facility that involved multiple large tanks. It was in an area that had unsuitable soils for conventional technology. We had some unknown obstacles, as you do with any commercial site that’s 50 years old and nobody knows exactly what’s below ground. There were old ducts to waterlines that were inactive and old railroad car tie-downs because it was a manufacturing plant. All those things were buried, so you just dealt with each obstacle when you got to it — with prayers, patience and excellent employees.

The craziest question I’ve been asked by a customer: 

“Why did you go into this business?”

If I could change one industry regulation, it would be: 

More oversight of the regulatory agencies tasked with regulating and enforcing the regulations of the private sector contractors. Also, a formal regulatory board that closely governs pumpers. This could be an add-on to the North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board that has already proven to be beneficial to our industry and operates at a phenomenal rate of efficiency.

Best piece of small-business advice I’ve heard: 

“If it’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing right. The cheapest way is not the best way, and it will not last” — by multiple people and respected members of our association.

If I wasn’t working in the wastewater industry, I would: 

Actually, believe it or not, a job that I still work in is critical care medicine. I’ve been a critical care nurse for 26 years, and I’m a former flight nurse. It’s hard to explain, but that’s what I still do on a part-time basis at a large hospital. I’ve kept that because I’ve been in it so long. But I really love the outside work I do for my business, whether it’s snowing, cold and raining, or 95 degrees F. That’s what I thrive on. I really do love what we do. When I work for myself, I don’t really consider it work: I like it too much.

Crystal ball time – this is my outlook for the wastewater industry: 

In 2008 North Carolina initiated the certification program for installers and the point-of-sale inspectors. Knowing the industry prior to this, I have definitely seen the bar raised. In North Carolina, the industry is now more respected, knowledgeable and educated. There is still more to do, and there are still occasional rotten apples in the basket that are being addressed by our licensing board. This assists with protecting not only our environment, but also the consumers.



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