Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

The occupation "Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners" currently holds an automation risk of 25.9%, which is slightly below the base risk of 26.1%. This relatively low risk suggests that while some tasks within the job can be automated, many essential functions still require human intervention and expertise. Automation technologies have made advances, particularly in mechanized inspection and communication, but the work environment—often unpredictable and physically demanding—limits the extent to which machines can completely replace human workers. Factors such as the need for quick problem-solving, adaptability in confined or hazardous spaces, and personalized communication with supervisors and team members contribute to the resilience of this occupation against full automation. These workplace conditions help account for the modest automation risk rather than a higher one. Among the most automatable tasks in this occupation are activities heavily reliant on technology or repetitive routines. For example, "Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones" is increasingly facilitated by automated communication tools and digital dispatch systems. The task of "Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment" is also becoming more automatable with the advent of self-driving vehicles and fleet management software. Likewise, "Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages" can be partially automated through the use of robotics and remote cameras, which reduce the need for direct human involvement under hazardous conditions. Still, the full automation of these tasks remains limited by the variable and hands-on nature of the work environment. Conversely, several tasks in this field remain highly resistant to automation due to their complexity or requirement for human judgment and precise manual labor. "Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles" and "Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels" both involve nuanced physical activity, adaptability to site-specific challenges, and skillful tool use that current automation technologies struggle to replicate. Additionally, "Requisition or order tools and equipment" often relies on situational assessment and responsive decision-making. The necessity for originality, cited with bottleneck skill levels at 2.3% and 2.0%, also underscores the importance of human creativity and problem-solving in this role. These resistant elements ensure that, despite ongoing technological advancements, the occupation retains a significant need for skilled human labor.