Great plumbing and the technology of the sewer system is something that is often taken for granted, but has a rich and fascinating history full of interesting plumbing facts you never knew. We all know that skilled plumbers and drain cleaners are vital to keeping homes and businesses running smoothly today, but do you know some of the more memorable moments in history of our industry?
We’ve put together 7 fun plumbing facts together for you to share with your co-workers or bring to your next trivia night!
Seven Interesting Plumbing Facts:
#1: The World’s Oldest Sewer Systems
The oldest sewer system discovered to date is located in the palace ruins of the Indus River Valley in India, dating back to 4000 BCE.
Evidence of indoor plumbing has also been found in ancient Egypt at the Pyramid of Cheops dating from 2500 BCE. Archeologists have discovered that the ancient Egyptians used copper piping, much like modern plumbing. It seems the Egyptians knew their stuff!
However, the most elaborate ancient sewer system is located in Rome. The Cloaca Maxima, which translates to Great Sewer, was built in the 6th or 7th century BCE. Previous plumbing systems had simply carried away rainwater, but this system was used to drain marshland, and carry waste to the nearby Tiber River.
#2: The First Underground Sewer
You may not be surprised to learn this interesting plumbing fact: the first underground sewer was built in New York City. After residents complained about the smell coming from the open sewers, NYC Health Officials decided to construct an underground system in 1728. We are glad they did; outside of the change that made in civil engineering across the world, we would hate to have to call NYC the Smelly Apple!
#3: Origin of the Word “Plumber”
The word plumber can be traced back to the Romans. The word comes from the Latin term “plumbum” which means lead. Romans who worked with lead were called “Plumbarius”, which has shortened over time to the word we use today.
#4: The Inventor of the Toilet
You may think you know the answer, so let us set you straight with this fun plumbing fact. The first flush toilet was invented in England by Sir John Harington in 1596. His contraption used a flush valve that would release water from a tank.
Sir Harrington was godson to Queen Elizabeth, who was an enthusiastic user of his invention. Sadly the rest of the world did not agree, and the chamber pot continued its reign of popularity. Sir Harrington got the last laugh, however, as the term “the John” derives from the name of its inventor.
Another Englishman managed to do what Sir Harrington could not: he made flushing toilets popular. In the 1880’s plumber Thomas Crapper replaced the old floating valve system with a siphon system. Along with making toilets more user-friendly, he successfully advertised his product to the masses. We know this is true today, as we still use the term “the Crapper”.
#5: Einstein Loved Plumbing
Albert Einstein was inducted as an honorary member in the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in Washington, D.C. According to The Reporter from November 18, 1954 Einstein said:
“If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.”
This quote gained him many fans in the plumbing community.
#6: The Most Expensive Toilet
Here’s a fun plumbing fact! You might think that the world’s most expensive toilet is covered in gold (like the Hang Fung toilet), or comes from Japan (where toilets can warm your bum and talk to you), but you would be wrong.
The most expensive toilet in the world lives on the International Space Station. Costing a cool $19 million, this toilet not only straps astronauts in place, it sucks waste away into a tank where it is then converted into drinking water.
#7: Things That Should Never Go Down Your Drain
Although we love it when we get called in for a job, here are some things that history has taught us again and again to never put down the drain:
Storm drains are infrastructure components found in curbsides or parking lots that collect rainwater runoff to prevent the flooding of streets and commercial and residential properties. Once the drain collects the watershed, it moves the water through a system of underground piping, culverts, and drainage ditches into local waterways.
The critical function that storm drains serve necessitates proper installation and implementation of a comprehensive maintenance program to ensure they are in optimal working condition. If a storm drain is improperly installed or inadequately maintained, it can result in severe flooding, causing unnecessary property damage and traffic disruption.
At Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ we provide complete storm drain cleaning and maintenance services to ensure optimum operation and extend the life of your stormwater management system. We can also develop a customized preventative maintenance program for your system that complies with local regulations to ensure regular cleaning and inspection appointments.
How Does A Storm Drain Work?
The storm drain has many working components, each of which contributes to the overall function of the storm drain. The typical storm drain parts include:
Drain inlet: Generally located at ground level, the drain inlet allows water runoff into the system while filtering out large debris that can clog up the subsequent basin. These metal grate inlets typically open into vaults beneath the ground. The main concern for drain inlets is buildup. A visual inspection of these components can quickly assess whether they are clogged with leaves or other debris that can interfere with their function and restrict the flow of water into the system. This visual inspection should take place at least once a month, and more frequently during the stormy seasons such as the spring and fall, to prevent blockage and subsequent flooding.
Riser: Storm drain risers, also known as vent pipes, are vertical sewer or storm pipelines that allow pooling water to drain from a rooftop down to the ground or sub-ground level into the drain inlet. Once water passes through the inlet, it enters a sump (typically a catch basin).
Basin: In storm drain systems, basins accept and temporarily hold the collected water runoff before pushing it through to the rest of the drain system. These receptacles are connected to subsequent system sections by piping.
Piping: Piping enables water to enter (inlet) and exit (outlet) the storm drain system. Although both inlet and outlet pipes are typically placed above the midline of the system to allow sediment to settle out within a sump, outlet pipes are generally positioned lower than inlet pipes to prevent water from backing up through the system. In general, individual drainage pipes connect to a more extensive storm piping system, which outlets at a single point per best management practices for water pollution control.
Signs Your Storm Drains Need Maintenance
Although a quick visual inspection is sufficient to assess the condition of a drain inlet, evaluating the condition of components beyond the system’s inlet requires observation of specific indicators. If your storm drain system exhibits some of the following signs, you may want to consider consulting with professionals, such as Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ for inspection, maintenance, and cleaning services:
Consistent clogging. Clogs are commonly caused by a buildup of debris in the system, which prevents water from properly draining.
Slow drainage. Similar to clogging, slow drainage may be attributed to the accumulation of debris in the system, reducing the ability of the system to drain properly.
Water accumulation. Water spots on residential or commercial properties affect the aesthetic quality of the area, as well as facilitate the growth of pest populations.
Mildew or odor development. Drainage issues and water accumulation can also lead to the development of mildew and odor.
Overflowing plumbing. If not adequately maintained, drainage systems can backup causing overflowing sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets.
Leakage of piping. The backing up of water in a drain system increases the amount of pressure within the piping, leading to faster deterioration and a greater risk of leaking.
Water damage. Water overflow and leakage contribute significantly to the overall water damage costs experienced by residential and commercial space owners.
Schedule Your Catch Basin Service Today
Properly cleaning and maintaining your storm catch basin system is crucial to preventing flooding and costly water damage to your commercial properties.
At Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™, we can inspect your storm drains and catch basins and determine the best maintenance practices to maintain the operation and extend the service life of your system. We also provide septic system maintenance,water jetting services, and grease trap cleaning services.
If you are experiencing any of the common indications of clogged or blocked storm drain systems outlined above, contact us today to request a quote or schedule your storm drain cleaning service appointment.
If something goes wrong with the septic system in your business, it can be a major expense to replace it. Because of this, proper maintenance is a necessity to protect your septic system from damage. If you take the correct steps to care for your septic system before problems arise, the septic tank will last a long time without extensive issues.
The goal of septic tank maintenance is to prevent solids from building up inside and to stop groundwater contamination. If the septic tank is leaking into the surrounding environment or is clogged up with solids, it can cause a major problem for your business. The team members at Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ are experts in cleaning and maintaining septic tanks and will make sure your septic tank is safeguarded from considerable damage.
How to Maintain a Septic Tank
Here are several different ways to reduce wear and keep a septic tank in working order:
Conserve water. The septic system doesn’t need to work as hard when less water is used. This will reduce the risk of leaks and other types of failure.
Only flush toilet safe materials. Your plumbing and septic tank cannot handle many common household items going down the toilets. Make sure that all waste is disposed of properly to prevent clogs and damage to the interior of the tank.
Keep a record of all the maintenance. Whenever you have septic or grease repairs, services, inspections, or other maintenance activities, log them so you know what parts of the septic system are in good repair.
Keep a diagram of your tank. When a plumbing service comes to your property, ensure you know the tank’s location. This way, the team can quickly find the system and repair it.
Have your tank cover or tank accessible in case of an emergency. If something goes wrong with the septic system, you will want it repaired right away. Keeping the tank accessible will make it easier for maintenance personnel to access it.
Don’t construct patios, decks, or paved surfaces over the septic system. This can block access to your system and put undue stresses on it, which leads to expensive problems down the road.
Schedule regular tank pumps with an experienced team. This will ensure the tank stays clear of debris and keeps working well.
Proper septic system care is vital to running your business. It will protect the value of your property, ensure the health of everyone in the area, and keep the environment free of contamination. Land and water that are contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that come from septic wastewater are a danger to everyone. By taking care of the septic system, you’ll keep your employees, property, and environment safe.
Trust Our Experienced Septic Pumping Team
Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ has been providing fast, reliable, affordable service for more than 80 years. Our customers return year after year because they trust us to effectively clean and maintain the septic systems for their homes and businesses.
None of our customers are locked into any type of contract. We come when you call-whenever you need us. Our technicians will work with you to determine the best cleaning schedule for your tank based on its size, use, and other factors that affect its performance.
Schedule a Septic Tank Maintenance Service Today
Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ is the right choice for your septic maintenance. Contact us today or fill out our request for service form to receive a quote on our services.
Our 2017 Mack Midnight Blue GU713 was recently selected by Pumper Magazine as it’s Classy Truck of the Month for February 2019. To read more about our truck, please click here.
A Massachusetts family combines old-fashioned service with 21st century technologies to create a promising future in the wastewater industry.
Dick Mottolo has been in the septic business since 1972, and in the ‘80s was a featured contractor in an early issue of the fledgling Pumper magazine. Since then his business has grown, service offerings have changed and the industry has evolved. Some of his biggest changes came from the next generation, particularly his nudge into the technology requirements of the 21st century. But there was an unexpected twist to the story.
His son, Anthony, grew up working alongside him, but as Dick began to focus more on commercial work, Anthony decided to go out on his own and concentrate on residential septic pumping. Meanwhile, his daughter, Lara, who had never been particularly interested in the business, left a theater career in New York, came home and stepped into the family business. She worked her way up through the ranks, modernizing the company as she went.
Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ is located in North Reading, Massachusetts. The 14 technicians and eight office personnel, including Dick’s wife, Carolyn, operate out of a 5-acre property and a 10,000-square-foot building, housing offices and a 15-bay garage. They work within a 100-mile radius covering Boston, eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
A CHANGE IN FOCUS
Dick got started in the business when he purchased the company from the Hewitt family who had founded it in 1927. His background was raising pigs. “I knew nothing about this business except it was a necessity that probably would survive any downturns,” he says. He laughs when he recalls he only put $500 down. “Nowadays we can spend twice that on just one flotation tire on one of these trucks.”
He started off with two employees and two trucks and has grown every year since. And he’s done it without a sales force. “We just try to give top service consistently, no excuses, and we have a great team of people.”
In the beginning, the work was about 90 percent residential and 10 percent commercial. But gradually Dick began focusing more on commercial, and today those figures are reversed. “It just evolved,” he says. “As your overhead gets higher, you have to have the commercial because you couldn’t afford to pay the benefit packages I do with just residential.”
However, he’s not about to abandon residential customers, some of whom have been with the company for over 50 years. “I have a great deal of satisfaction with long-term customers,” he says. Lara adds it rounds out the hours. “A lot of commercial you can only do in the morning or at night, so it’s nice to have the residential during the day,” she says.
THE FRONT END
The move to commercial has also given the company a more diversified customer base, which Dick says offers protection from economic downturns and keeps the crew busy year-round. Besides pumping septic tanks, they clean catch basins, sediment pits and storm drains. They also work on car washes, parking garage drains and commercial swimming pool filters.
“And we do a lot of maintenance on lift stations and often work with various mechanics, plumbers, engineers, general contractors, municipalities and other pumpers,” Dick says. They are also licensed to do septic system inspections.
The regulatory landscape for storm drains has changed drastically over the years, Dick says, increasing their work in that area. “You’ve got new regulations all the time,” he says, “especially with new construction where they have to have a storm management plan in place. We make up a custom form for each location and number all the structures, and every quarter go in and check each one to make sure there’s no issues, and then clean them once a year. We’ve always done it, but now we’re more focused on it than ever. ”
A fair amount of their work is emergencies, but they always try to turn that into recurring maintenance work orders. “We want to keep the customer out of having a backup and keep them in compliance with regulations,” Dick says. Lara adds it’s also a good way to grow your business: “If companies can create a recurring work order or reminder for every emergency, they have a better chance of increasing the lifetime value of the customer – but you have to be proactive about it.”
Collecting grease was always a small part of Dick’s business, but it now accounts for half their work. “We do hundreds of restaurants, but also colleges, hospitals, food manufacturers, hotels, malls,” Dick says – anything from 10 gallons to 20,000. The industry has changed considerably. “Back in the ‘70s, they just assigned you a manhole and there was no documentation,” he says.
When regulations came in requiring disposal at treatment plants, Dick says it became difficult to find places that would take grease, a problem he finally solved when he came across an opportunity in 2002 to buy a small grease-processing facility. He made major improvements and now runs it as a separate business, Northeast Environmental Processing. The facility removes water from food wastewater and sends the residual material to farm digesters, making electricity. That’s another change he’s seen in the industry – “Now food waste recycling is very vogue,” he says.
MACHINES AND TRUCKS
Equipment includes a 2010 Bobcat S205 skid-steer loader, US Jetting 4018 portable jetters, Spartan Tool cameras, and RIDGID cameras and locators.
The fleet includes eight 1985 to 2006 Mack vacuum trucks with 4,000- and 5,000-gallon tanks (half are aluminum, half steel) and National Vacuum Equipment 866 pumps, most from Andert, TSI Tank Services and Longhorn Tank & Trailer.
For smaller jobs and low-entry situations, they have two Ford F‑350 vacuum trucks (2015 and 2016) with 525-gallon steel Presvac tanks, one with a Jurop/Chandler pump, the other Masport; one Ford F‑550 with a 1,200-gallon aluminum tank and Masport pump built out by Arthur Custom Tank; and two Ford F-350s with trailered US Jetting jetters (300 and 600 gallons).
For larger projects, they have three 9,000-gallon aluminum vacuum tank trailers built by Arthur Custom Tank and a 1969 Fruehauf 8,500-gallon aluminum transport pulled by Mack tractors (a 1993 R713 and a 2006 CHN613), a 2008 Aquatech B-10 (10-yard) and a 2000 Vactor 2112 (12-yard).
To maintain the fleet, Dick works with two independent mechanics who come in at night and on weekends. “Safety is paramount,” he says. “We do whatever it takes to keep them in good shape.” He also likes to have spare equipment. “I usually have one or two extra trucks ready to go in case a truck is down. That way my drivers always have a day’s work and we don’t have to make excuses to our customers.”
THE BACK END
A solid back office is required to ensure the front end operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, Dick says, and it has to keep up with changes and growth. Lara has worked hard to improve operations in this area.
After working 10 years on the administrative side of theater management after getting a degree from Fordham University, Lara was ready to make a change and in 2006 joined her father, a move that surprised both of them. She began familiarizing herself with every back office function, eventually working her way up to general manager, then vice president handling operations, marketing, financial and back-end functions.
One major contribution was taking a deep dive into technology – a real game changer for the company, Dick says. “When I first started I had a beeper, and then I went to a pay phone and put my quarters in and called the answering service. Now everything’s on the cloud.”
About eight years ago the company installed Fleetmatics REVEAL vehicle-tracking software and in 2015 added Fleetmatics WORK, a cloud-based customer relations software and computerized dispatching program that integrates with QuickBooks accounting software. Drivers access schedules and route information with an app on their Samsung Galaxy Note smartphones. Dick says the value of software like this can’t be overestimated.
“Your key to profitability is efficient dispatching, efficient routing because traffic is a major issue, and efficient handling of the customers so they feel like they know you, you know them and you know what their needs are,” he says.
Lara also implemented an Internet-based phone system and refreshed the website created by Anthony and his wife, Mary. She says technology in a large company is a necessity, but cautions that it doesn’t run on autopilot. “You really do need to have someone in the office who has some computer knowledge and is willing to take the time to learn and work with these programs.”
THE PEOPLE
As critical as technology is to a business, Dick and Lara never lose sight of the fact that employees are their best asset. “Without good people, you can’t provide the high level of service,” Dick says. “And you can’t afford turnover either. It takes a couple years to train a guy. And customers like to see familiar faces.”
Besides good pay and benefits, Lara says Dick treats people fairly and respectfully. “They’re our eyes and ears – they’re the ones representing the company. They all know they’re valued.” A number of employees have been with the company 10 and 20 years.
Dick credits Lara with upgrading company handbooks, formalizing the hiring process, and professionalizing the human resources function. “Years ago, management was by the seat of the pants,” he says. “But as you get a little larger, you really do have to manage.”
THE FUTURE
The mom-and-pop business Dick bought more than 40 years ago looks nothing like the sophisticated commercial operation he has today. Even Lara has seen big changes in just the last 10 years – customers are more savvy, they expect faster turnaround and 24‑hour accessibility, and there’s increased regulations, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
At 73, Dick says he still has his commercial driver’s license and could jump in a truck if he had to, but he mostly looks out for the big picture. He has no plans to retire but is comfortable he’s got a great team, led by Lara and 27-year veteran General Manager John Nicholas.
Lara’s grateful to be there. “I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do, but it’s a very challenging industry, it’s fast-paced and it’s constantly changing.” She’s also proud she and Dick have developed a great working relationship. “Family businesses can be so difficult, and a lot of it really does come down to communication and respect and treating each other as professionals.”
Lara says the future will be more of the same – continue to grow, evolve and take on new challenges. “Our foot is still very much on the gas pedal,” she says.
Little changes make a huge difference in efficiency for Massachusetts pumper
Dick Mottolo has seen a lot of changes to vacuum trucks over the 43 years he’s been in business with his company Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ in North Reading, Massachusetts. But he says it’s sometimes the small innovations that can have the biggest impact: improving efficiency, customer relations and safety – and they just make life easier.
One device he now has on all his vacuum trucks is a SeeLevel gauge from Garnet Instruments, which allows a driver to see how full the tank is.
“There’s a digital gauge under the driver’s seat facing the driver’s door and he can see how many gallons are in the truck when he gets done at any particular pumping job,” Mottolo says. This provides a way of showing customers exactly how many gallons the technician pumped, giving them proof as well as peace of mind that they’re being charged accurately. He prefers the gauges to sight glasses, which he says are more difficult to deal with. “I wouldn’t want to have a truck without one,” he says of the SeeLevel.
Another problem Mottolo no longer has to deal with is frozen valves. Massachusetts winters can be brutal on trucks, and although he has a 15-bay garage to store his vehicles at night, he can’t protect them out on the road.
“In the old days, during the winter we’d be out there with a torch unfreezing the valves between jobs,” he says. Those days are gone with the invention of non-freeze valves. “It’s kind of a water-jacketed fitting next to each valve. Basically you circulate the water from your cooling system of the truck.” He says you wouldn’t need them down south but it’s definitely the way to go for anyone who can’t afford to shut down for a few days when bad weather hits. No temperature is too cold, he says. “We’ve had very good luck with them.
“The SeeLevel gauges and non-freeze valves I think are huge,” Mottolo says. “These things, although they don’t sound like much, have been a big improvement on pump trucks.”
Dick Mottolo, President of Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ with part of the company fleet.
By Betty Dageforde
Pumper Magazine Online Exclusives
February 4, 2016
The Women in Wastewater Roundtable helps women feel more comfortable in the industry.
“I want to talk to the man in charge.”
Even in the 21st century, that’s a request many wastewater companies still get when they answer the phone. And, of course, in this day and age, the “man in charge” might actually be a woman.
That’s no surprise to Joyce Gresh, director of operations for Cape Cod Biochemical Company in Massachusetts. She served as moderator of this year’s Women in Wastewater Roundtable at the Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show and was on the panel in 2015 as well.
She says that question is still prevalent, but for the industry it’s a matter of educating the public on the dynamics of today’s wastewater industry. “I do see things turning around, but not all that much,” she admits.
This is the second year the WWETT Show has featured the roundtable, the brainchild of Lara Mottolo, vice president of Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ of Massachusetts.
“(The panel) is not necessarily to highlight the challenges [women face], but rather the benefits and value of being a woman in the industry,” says Mottolo, who is following in the footsteps of her father, Dick, who has been in the industry since 1972.
“We wanted to take a cross section of women … fielding specific questions about what they do every day. To be honest, we really haven’t touched too much on the challenges of being a woman (in the business).”
Mottolo says about 50 people attended the roundtable; she estimates that about 25 percent of the attendees were men. “I did get the sense that we kind of hit on something where (the women in the audience) really wanted to talk,” says Mottolo, “and felt more comfortable asking questions of other women.”
That said, Mottolo adds, “I was very careful to set the tone as being inclusive rather than exclusive.” She underscored her belief that “talent bubbles to the top naturally; it’s not even a question of gender anymore.
“The gender thing,” she says, “we try to deal with carefully … to [spotlight] some professionals that just happen to be women.”
If a woman attends the roundtable, for example, Mottolo wants her to realize she, too, can do the job and advance in her career – just like Mottolo did, even though the septic industry was not her first career choice.
“They might hear these women speak [and think] ‘I can identify,'” she says, adding that she’s been on the job for nine years, but she did feel a gender gap when she entered the industry. But that’s where education comes in, she adds. “The more I knew [about the wastewater business], the less of an issue gender became.”
Gresh comments that while the industry may be moving in that direction, it’s not quite there yet. “We still have the old attitudes … I don’t think that bridge has been broken yet,” she says, noting that those attitudes can come both from the public as well as from men in the industry.
She recalls one man coming to the roundtable “trying to figure out how to work with” and how to “deal with” the women coming into the industry.
But while Gresh says many of the women coming to her booth at the WWETT Show are strong and independent, “There are some that are right behind their men. I don’t think some women are totally comfortable in that situation.”
Gresh says that issue hit home when one woman approached her after the panel asking, “What do you do if your spouse dies?” This woman had recently lost her husband and, in the process, gained his business.
It’s a situation more women may find themselves facing if they take a back seat – as opposed to an equal one – in the family business.
Hitting on topical issues
While gender was an obvious issue, the 45-minute roundtable really ended up being a conversation about much broader issues, Mottolo says. It followed the “how-to” track, she says, relating to sales, operations, technology, marketing “and what comes out of that naturally.”
“The most specific questions I got were about implementing technology – what we’re using, how it works,” she says.
Mottolo also fielded questions on balancing motherhood and management. For her, she says, “It wound up being a good thing for our business because it forced me to delegate. We’ve actually grown in sales 12 percent each year.”
After she started having her children, Mottolo realized she needed to hand off some of her duties, and that ended up being the best thing. “It’s almost counterproductive to do it all,” she admits.
“It makes sense that you put the right person in the right position,” she adds. “That was a huge lesson for us and a really big benefit.”
Mottolo looks back on the WWETT Show over the years and notes seeing more and more women in the crowd. “We are almost half the industry now in different capacities,” she estimates.
So it may be time to finally put that question of speaking with the “man in charge” to rest. And hosting the roundtable each year is a good start.
“I think the panel is extremely valuable,” says Gresh. “The [industry] needs to acknowledge the women in this industry, and they need to take it one step further.” She is advocating for starting an award for women in the industry.
“It’s no longer the job of you go out and you pump someone’s tank and it’s over. It’s not like that anymore. The industry has changed.”
By Sharon Verbeten
Courtesy of Pumper Magazine
March 28, 2016
Staying on top of changes in the industry keeps Dick Mottolo coming back year after year.
The Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show didn’t exist in 1972 when Dick Mottolo got started in the business with his company Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ in North Reading, Massachusetts. But when that first then Pumper & Cleaner Expo was announced 36 years ago, he jumped at the chance and hasn’t missed one since. He’s watched it evolve from a small gathering to one of the largest trade shows in the country.
“Years ago if you saw one or two new ideas, that was something,” he says. “Now you can’t get halfway down one of these aisles and you’ll see one or two things you hadn’t seen before.” As a result, it never gets old and he always learns something.
“Like any industry, you have to stay on top, you have to know what’s going on. You can only learn so much in your own backyard.” The WWETT Show also helped to elevate the professionalism in the industry, he says.
Dick brings a different employee with him each year, and in 2016 it’ll be general manager John Nicholas. “He went many years ago so he’ll be quite impressed with the increased size and the number of vendors and the different kinds of vendors,” he says.
Another change is the growing number of women who attend the show. In 2015, Dick’s daughter Lara Mottolo, the company’s vice president, added her own touch. “I initiated a panel to showcase a cross section of women in the wastewater industry,” she says. Her goal was to highlight how much value women bring to their companies and the industry and to encourage them to take on more management roles.
Since women often have to juggle multiple roles in their lives they’ve learned to multi-task, focus, delegate and create strong teams. She cites her own situation, having two small children at home. “It’s made me a better manager and has actually given us the ability to grow,” she says. She’ll be leading a similar panel at the 2016 WWETT Show, on Education Day, Feb. 17.
Dick will be there. “I look forward to going to the show every year,” he says. “I never get tired of it.”
Written By Betty Dageforde
Published in Pumper Magazine, November 17, 2015
Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ has been serving Eastern Massachusetts for over 85 years. With 24-hour emergency services and over 12,000 customers, you'll see why people have come to rely on Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ for exceptional service.
The goal of septic tank maintenance is to prevent solids from building up inside and to stop groundwater contamination. If the septic tank is leaking into the surrounding environment or is clogged up with solids, it can cause a major problem for your business. The team members at Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ are experts in cleaning and maintaining septic tanks and will make sure your septic tank is safeguarded from considerable damage.
Dick Mottolo, President of Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ with part of the company fleet.