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In researching the article "What to do about waste" for this issue, I was reminded of how daunting and serious the task of dealing with wastewater is at a rental business. There is so much technology available today to make the chore more effective as well as easier, but it comes with a rather hefty price tag.

Water treatment systems can cost up to $30,000, which is no small change for a rental business, particularly when you consider that the investment does not bring in any revenue of its own. The fact is, however, the potential cost of not treating your wastewater is much higher. Environmental fines for noncompliance are stiff and the process of remediating contaminated soil is a horrifically expensive and tedious process that could easily put a small- to-medium size rental company out of business.

What surprised me when speaking with sources for the article was the discovery that some rental businesses invest in a water treatment system, get frustrated with what they perceive to be its complicated operation, and ultimately wind up using it as a decoy to convince regulatory agencies they are complying when, in fact, they are continuing to dump their wastewater into the ground and storm sewer.

On the one hand, I can't imagine spending tens of thousands of dollars on something and then not using it. On the other hand, it rankles me that there are business operators out there who are so cavalier about what they are doing to the environment. In short, it is simply irresponsible to consciously discharge untreated wastewater into the ground.

As you read the article, you will find that there are numerous methods of dealing with your wastewater.