Partnership focuses on septic-tank maintenance

The campaign also is working to educate the public on the connection between their sewage and their drinking water, according to JRBP Executive Director Holly Neill. The Pump a Million campaign is part of the partnership’s Get Pumped program.

“The state health department recently (found) that at least 80 percent of Missouri’s tanks are failing or have some issues,” Neill said. “A lot of that is due to people not maintaining them. It is not a requirement, (but) it is up to the homeowner to maintain (the) septic tank, which means getting it pumped out every two to three years.”

James River Basin Partnership is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1997 with the sole focus of improving water quality in springs, rivers and lakes in the James River Basin. (See map).

Participants in the Get Pumped program and Pump a Million campaign get an on-site visit, a list of recommended pumpers and $50 for participation.

With 484,000 gallons pumped, Neill expects to hit the half-million mark in June and reach 1 million gallons sometime next year. Even with all those gallons safely shielded from area waterways, the message that septic tanks need routine pumping is just starting to get out, according to Harold Old, Owner of All Septic Tank Service and one of JRBP’s recommended pumpers.

“I think a whole lot more education needs to be initiated for the average homeowner,” Old said. “We’ve been trying to educate all of our customers for years. Anytime we get a new customer, it is generally because they are backed up and having problems.”

Pumping economics

Old said, on average, pumping service needs to be done every one to three years and generally costs around $150. Failure to pump can lead to catastrophic damage over time, he said, noting that a new septic system can cost between $6,000 and $50,000.

In addition to saving money in the long run, regular pumping also is good insurance, environmentally speaking.

“People often just don’t understand what an improperly operated septic system is going to do to the grounds and the water around it,” Old said.

He has seen systems that have failed so completely that a few gallons of dye put into the tank comes out of the home’s faucets within minutes.

“It sobers me up every time I see it,” Old said. “I’m thinking, ‘Those people have been drinking that all this time.’”

With the program

Tammy Crabtree, a Get Pumped/Pump a Million participant, had her septic tank pumped for the first time two years ago because she didn’t realize it needed to be done.

“I talked to the partnership to find out how often you were supposed to have it done,” Crabtree said. “They gave me a nice record to keep track of it from year to year so I don’t miss it next time.”

Crabtree has told her neighbors what she learned and picked up information about other JRBP programs.

According to Neill, word of mouth is a major method of marketing the program’s education component.

The JRBP is sustained with support from local businesses, including Bass Pro Shops.

Dan Hoy, director of facilities at Bass Pro Shops, said the primary source of funds originally was the Garage Sale for Conservation, but as that Bass Pro initiative shut down, the Cardboard for Conservation program has picked up the slack.

“This year we believe Cardboard for Conservation will generate $50,000 to $60,000 for the partnership,” Hoy said. “Prior to that, it was a much smaller program.”

Hoy, a self-described river rat and JRBP board member, is proud the money can help out with the Pump a Million campaign and other partnership programs.

Hoy said the partnership’s efforts are particularly important considering the area’s rural growth boom.

“What attracts so many here is the quality of the outdoor recreation and the beauty,” Hoy said. “If we are not smart about how we sustain the development in southwest Missouri, much of what has drawn people here will be the victim (of) it.”[[In-content Ad]]