Storm Drain Cleaning Service
Dirty municipal work with compliance tailwinds and almost no glamour competitors
Bottom line
Worth studying, but do not buy without strong local proof.
Storm drain cleaning services vacuum debris, flush catch basins, clean lift stations, and maintain drainage infrastructure for municipalities, property managers, HOAs, industrial sites, and retail centers. Listings on BizBuySell regularly bundle storm drain work into liquid-waste and environmental service companies with seven-figure revenue profiles. The surprising angle is that clogged drainage is not optional, and recurring compliance-driven contracts can make this filthy niche more predictable than prettier service businesses.
Avg Revenue
$1.4M
Profit Margin
24%
Acquisition Multiple
2.4x - 3.9x
Startup Cost
$150K - $900K
How It Works
The company uses vacuum trucks, jetting equipment, and field crews to clean drains, basins, grease systems, and related infrastructure on a scheduled or emergency basis. Revenue comes from recurring service agreements, municipal contracts, environmental compliance needs, and urgent callouts after storms or flooding.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 562998 · All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | MN | $312K | $367K |
| Sep 2025 | AZ | $333K | $392K |
| Mar 2025 | FL | $619K | $728K |
| Oct 2024 | WI | $166K | $195K |
| Sep 2024 | IA | $4.5M | $5.3M |
| Jul 2024 | MI | $2.8M | $3.3M |
| May 2024 | CA | $215K | $253K |
| Dec 2023 | WY | $150K | $177K |
| Sep 2023 | CA | $1.8M | $2.1M |
| Sep 2023 | NY | $629K | $740K |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Essential work tied to safety and compliance
- +Repeat revenue from municipalities and commercial properties
- +High barriers from equipment, permitting, and messy operations
- +Cross-sell potential into lift station, grease trap, and septic work
Cons
- -Specialized trucks and disposal rules raise capex
- -Emergency work can create uneven scheduling
- -Operational execution and safety standards matter a lot
Best For
Buyers who want hard-to-replace infrastructure service work with contract potential
Operating Costs
Big expenses include vacuum trucks, fuel, maintenance, disposal fees, field labor, insurance, and permitting. Profitability depends on route density, truck utilization, and keeping disposal and downtime under control.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Example operator offering storm drain cleaning, grease trap work, lift station service, and septic-related solutions
Marketplace page where storm drain and liquid-waste operators regularly appear
Relevant acquisition marketplace for environmental and drainage service businesses
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Buy price
- $3.4M–$5.5M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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