The Future of Septic: Solving the Disposal Problem with Jon Jouvenaux

What happens to a septic business when the trucks are full and the treatment plant says no? Scott Andreasen welcomes Jon Jouvenaux, President of BBB Septic & Portable Toilets and founder of VibraWaste, to the Excavation & Septic Profits Podcast for a conversation about the future of septic, disposal economics, and turning operational problems into opportunities.

Drawing on more than 30 years in the industry, Jon shares how rising dump fees and lost access to municipal facilities pushed BBB to develop its own clean water farm. He explains why disposal is about more than the fee per gallon: travel time, unloading delays, equipment downtime, and dependence on someone else's facility all affect a contractor's ability to keep working.

Jon also tells the story behind the Muckraker, a vibratory screening system developed to remove troublesome trash and debris before downstream processing. From clogged pumps and wasted polymer to prototype failures and manufacturing hurdles, he shares the practical lessons behind the equipment and why an investment must fit an operator's workload, location, and disposal options.

Key takeaways:

• Identify the work that earns the most with the least effort.
• Build referral relationships through networking and realtor education.
• Track call sources, new versus repeat customers, revenue, and overtime.
• Evaluate depots, bulk hauling, dewatering, and municipal partnerships.
• Consider how screening and faster unloading affect productivity.
• Learn why Jon sees opportunity in biosolids resource recovery.

Looking ahead, Jon describes his team's work toward converting biosolids into a soil amendment and his hopes for addressing PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. These are Jon's stated development goals and perspective, not independently verified treatment results. His guiding idea: "It's only waste if we waste it."

Connect with Jon:
BBB Septic & Portable Toilets
VibraWaste and the Muckraker

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