Columbia's dirty jobs: Grease trap cleaner

COLUMBIA — A 13-year veteran of Roto Rooter, Tom Lee had often dreamt of starting his own business. In the summer of 2005, he did. Lee’s Super Pumper is a business that cleans out company and household grease traps and septic tanks. His territory is statewide, but in Columbia, Lee cleans several restaurants’ grease traps including Taco Bell and Hardee’s. Depending on the location of the trap or tank, Lee uses a semi-trailer truck with a 2,500 gallon tank or a small vacuum to pump out the contents.