In the plumbing industry, diversification can be the key to long-term success, and Douglas Hurrelbrink has embraced that philosophy with Austin’s Pumping Service.

What started as a straightforward septic pumping business has evolved into a full-service wastewater and plumbing operation with a focus on grease trap maintenance, hydrojetting and real estate inspections. 

By strengthening ties with his brother-in-law’s plumbing company, Action Rooter Sewer and Drain LLC, Hurrelbrink has created a seamless network of services that keep both residential and commercial plumbing systems running smoothly.

His approach — pairing high-quality service with strategic pricing and investment in top-tier equipment — has positioned Austin’s, based in Strafford, Missouri, as a key player in the region’s plumbing and wastewater management sector.

IN THE BEGINNING

Hurrelbrink was a field engineer in California who started the company in 2010, following encouragement by Crow, who had already established a plumbing business, in Strafford, near Springfield, Missouri, in 2005. 

“I told him there was money to be made pumping fluids from one hole and dumping them in another one,” Crow says. Today, the companies maintain their identities, but have merged under a single corporation, Black Water Holding Group, which employs 17 people, about half of the workers on the pumping side.

Austin’s dropped portable restroom rentals in 2022 to focus on septic pumping and commercial work — with an emphasis on grease trap service, restaurant hydrojetting and real estate septic and water well inspections.

“Portable restroom work is very labor-intensive and we found it difficult to hire enough manpower,” Hurrelbrink says. “We sold the units, in some cases to our customers, and in many instances we continue to pump them.”

Austin’s has never seen a shortage of commercial work. Even through the COVID-19 pandemic, the company became busier, pumping for fast food restaurants offering takeout and delivery, where business was thriving.

“Our problem was not being able to purchase trucks fast enough,” Hurrelbrink says. “We’ve taken on contracts with chain companies such as Domino’s [Pizza] and Pizza Hut and we travel just across the border to Arkansas and Kansas to pursue some of that work.”

In addition, housebound workers became more aware of their septic systems and began to schedule more regular pumping and maintenance.

VALUE YOUR WORK

Along with pumping, 5 to 7% of the company’s work involves full installation of septic systems, although Austin’s sometimes partners with local installers, depending on workload.

Septic pumping also opens the door to system repairs and replacement. Many of the older rural homes have noncompliant systems that range from septic tanks that have no apparent access ports to tanks made out of wood.

The company has also taken a more assertive approach to pricing, an evolution from the earlier days of establishing a market presence in the area.

“When we started, we took everything that came our way.” Hurrelbrink recalls. “Half the money would go to fueling the truck and the other half would pay the light bill. We’ve learned that the quality of our service enables us to charge more. If a company is not prepared, it might take them two hours to complete a job. If you show up for the dance well prepared with knowledge and equipment, it might only take 15 minutes. That doesn’t mean you should charge less.”

The company’s growing equipment fleet includes four vacuum trucks, all Internationals with aluminum tanks and Jurop RV360 pumps. Hurrelbrink says he prefers the aluminum tanks, saying they are priced competitively with steel and offer a lighter load.

“Every little bit of weight that you can take off the truck reduces wear on your tires, your springs, your shocks, your tie rods,” he says. “The heavier the truck, the more maintenance you’re going to have and the higher your fuel bills.”

He’s stuck with the Jurop RV360s because he says they perform well, are easily rebuildable and reduce the hassle of learning to operate and maintain different pumps on each truck.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Three of the trucks are built out by KeeVac Industries: a 2011 with a 2,000-gallon Progress tank; a 2019 with a 2,000-gallon tank and 90-gallon freshwater saddle tank for job site cleanups; and a 2022 with a 2,500-gallon tank and 90-gallon freshwater saddle tank. A 2014 built out by FlowMark features a 1,400-gallon waste/300-gallon freshwater tank.

Each truck is equipped with a Gorlitz Go 50 drain cleaning machine and a range of Gorlitz drain cleaning machines for sewer lines sized 1 to 8 inches in diameter. They also carry a range of RIDGID SeeSnake inspection cameras.

Customized toolboxes are a must-have for each new truck order.

“Every truck we build, we try to outfit it with as many toolboxes as it will hold,” Hurrelbrink says. “If there’s a space on that truck, we’re going to put a toolbox on it because we carry an ever-expanding range of tools from cameras and drain machines to jetters and an array of hand tools.”

Hurrelbrink prefers to buy trucks and heavy equipment new. “Our very first pump truck was used and it almost bankrupted us,” Hurrelbrink recalls. “These trucks are run very, very hard, so we like to start with new equipment.”

Service support vehicles include a 2015 Ford F-250 equipped with a service crane for lifting septic tank lids and installing sewage pumps, a 2001 Dodge 5500 4x4 flatbed used to tow a Kubota L39 backhoe and a dump trailer, and a 2010 Nissan 4x4 used for septic system inspections. A shared pool of service vehicles includes a 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4, a 2015 Ford F-150 4x4, and five trucks and vans, including Chevrolet, GMC and Ford.

The trucks share a pair of portable drum vacuum units for grease traps, custom built in the shop, and an Eagle 200 Trailer Jetter from Jetters Northwest clears out major blockages.

WELL-POSITIONED FOR THE FUTURE

Investing in quality equipment and refining pricing strategies have been critical to Austin’s success. By prioritizing efficiency and durability in his fleet, Hurrelbrink has minimized downtime and maximized profitability, allowing his team to take on a wider range of projects. 

The decision to focus on new equipment, well-outfitted trucks and an ever-expanding toolkit speaks to his commitment to delivering professional, high-quality service that sets Austin’s apart from competitors.

Looking ahead, Hurrelbrink’s ability to adapt to industry changes and maintain high service standards will continue to drive Austin’s growth. His story serves as a testament to the importance of investing in the right tools, valuing expertise, and embracing diversification as a path to long-term stability. 

With a solid foundation built on experience, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge equipment, Austin’s Pumping Service is well-positioned to remain a key player for years to come.