Will AI Replace Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners?

Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Update sewer maps and manhole charts.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Requisition or order tools and equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.