For many utilities, a vacuum truck is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment outside the treatment plant itself. A new combination truck can exceed $500,000, forcing operators to weigh whether owning the equipment is worth the capital investment.
Vacuum trucks remove sludge, sediment, and other debris from sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. They typically clean collection lines, remove buildup from wet wells and lift stations, and streamline routine maintenance.
With municipality budgets shrinking and aging sewer infrastructure becoming an unavoidable issue, investing in a vacuum truck has become an increasingly significant decision for operators to make.
Factors to consider
The vacuum truck a utility needs depends on the size of the system and the maintenance work crews perform. Many operators choose their truck based on what other local cities are using, which isn’t always the most accurate approach. Instead, they should use operational data they’ve already collected. Many utilities use vacuum trucks in their sewer cleaning programs to prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
Here’s what they should evaluate specifically:
- Pipe material and size
- Common debris types (roots, wipes, grease, sediment)
- Total miles of sewer in the collection system
- Cleaning cycle frequency
Understanding these conditions helps operators determine what type of equipment is needed. Some utilities may prioritize jetting power for routine cleaning, while others need better filtration or higher vacuum capacity to handle heavy debris.
Matching the right equipment with system conditions ensures that operators invest in a vacuum truck that supports their maintenance needs. It also keeps them from overspending on unnecessary equipment.
Combination trucks vs. straight vacuum trucks
Combination trucks
Combination trucks combine high-pressure water suction and jetting in one unit. This allows operators to clear debris buildup with water pressure and vacuum it up with the same system instead of investing in two separate pieces of equipment. Since combination trucks can jet, vacuum, and transport debris, they reduce the need for multiple vehicles.
A few specific tasks they’re used for include:
- Sewer line cleaning
- Cleaning grease and sediment buildup
- Cleaning lift stations
- Clearing blockages and backups
Combination trucks are especially useful for mid- to large-size operations, as one truck often needs to perform multiple maintenance tasks.
Straight vacuum trucks serve a different purpose.
Straight vacuum trucks
While they play a different role than combination trucks, straight vacuum trucks are equally as important for wastewater maintenance.
Unlike combination vacuum trucks, straight vacuum trucks are not equipped with a high-pressure jetting function—they rely on vacuum suction alone. This makes them more suitable for liquid waste removal and grease pumping.
Municipal systems typically use straight vac trucks for:
- Cleaning lift stations and wet wells
- Maintaining stormwater systems
- Cleaning debris from manholes
- Emergency sewer backups
Straight vacuum trucks also support preventative maintenance efforts. By performing routine cleanings, they remove solids before they harden, maintain stormwater capacity, and prevent corrosion and standing water from damaging infrastructure.
Small- to mid-size water operations typically use straight vacuum trucks, as they’re less expensive and simpler to operate than combination trucks.
Should I buy a vacuum truck?
Vacuum trucks can range between $70,000 for smaller units to more than $500,000 for large combination trucks, so the decision to buy one isn’t taken lightly.
Whether operators should purchase a vacuum truck, share one with neighboring municipalities, or contract vacuum services depends on the needs of their operation. This decision ultimately comes down to capital cost, flexibility, and emergency response plans.
Cost is the most important factor to consider, as purchasing a vacuum truck could delay other infrastructure investments. These include pump replacements, treatment plant updates, and sewer rehabilitation projects. Municipalities must account for ongoing costs such as routine maintenance, vacuum system service, and fuel.
In addition to cost, operators must weigh whether the vacuum truck investment will have ROI. This often comes down to how often the truck is used. Large municipalities that own sizable collection systems and experience consistent sewer overflows may find the investment worth it, while smaller municipalities that share equipment or rent services may find their current method more cost-effective.
This is part of the reason why vacuum manufacturers are targeting municipalities, and why the investment makes more sense for operators with consistent maintenance needs.
“Every sector has dips and highs,” says Bradley Holder, vice president of sales for Huber Corporation. “When you have industrial slowdown, government money typically never runs out. That’s why we want to have a strong municipal sales force year over year so businesses can withstand any financial downturns in the country.”
Let the data lead
Before buying a vacuum truck, renting vacuum services, or sharing with neighboring cities, municipalities must perform an audit on their own data. If their system is large, experiences consistent SSOs and needs frequent cleanings, owning a vacuum truck is the most logical decision. But for smaller systems that aren’t cleaned frequently, sharing a truck or renting services makes more sense.
No matter which route you choose, let the data lead the way. The vacuum truck that makes sense for another local city may not make the most sense for yours.
