Leading Advanced Treatment, Inc., John DeLacio, PA, sewage trainman system executive who takes on diverse projects spanning residential and commercial properties. Whether repairing and maintaining current systems or engineering new systems from the ground up, John DeLacio excels in creating safe, reliable, site-appropriate systems. He works closely with municipal and PA authorities on a complex, often slow-moving approval process. He uses data from soil testing and percolation testing as a way of fine-tuning sewage system specifications.
Mr. DeLacio has a wealth of project knowledge spanning septic and aerobic systems. He educates Advanced Treatment, Inc., clients on topics such as how heavy rainfall impacts septic systems and how to differentiate between a clogged and a failing system. He also consults on the aspects of sewage treatment systems that property purchasers should be aware of.
Mr. DeLacio holds a degree in mining engineering earned at West Virginia University in Morgantown. While a senior civil engineer with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT), he earned commendations from the state governor for his geotechnical investigation of the catastrophic collapse of a four-million-gallon Ashland Petroleum Company storage tank. He also authored the Pennsylvania DOT’s Handbook of Mining Operations.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day begins with exercise to ensure I have the mental clarity needed for the complex work in the consulting field. I then prioritize returning client calls from the previous day to maintain my high standard of responsive communication before moving on to drafting facility designs and permit applications. To sustain my productivity, I take several short breaks to walk and review the progress of ongoing applications as they move through the various state and local municipal permitting stages.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by first conducting thorough research into new products and methodologies within the sewage treatment field. I then vet these concepts through discussions with my professional network, which includes contacts and industry experts, to refine the strategy.
This collaborative process ensures that the final design, whether for a new facility design or repair of an existing system, is both innovative and effectively tailored to client needs.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I am particularly excited by the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in the engineering sector. AI can analyze vast datasets to identify patterns in treatment outcomes, enabling more effective design plans for our clients. This technology holds the promise of enhancing our decision-making and ultimately improving success rates in obtaining permits for our clients.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
A key habit for my productivity is incorporating regular walks and exercise into my daily schedule. This practice is essential for maintaining mental clarity and managing the demands of dealing with state and local organizations. Stepping away for a short walk allows me to return to reviewing facility designs or permit applications with a refreshed and more focused perspective.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to stop and smell the roses a lot more often. It’s so easy to get completely consumed by daily phone calls, but you have to protect your own well-being as well. Weekend getaways aren’t a distraction, they’re what refills your tank and keeps you going strong for the long haul.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I hold a firm belief that our political system’s intense partisanship often overlooks our shared humanity, a perspective that can be unpopular in today’s polarized climate. I see how this divisiveness directly impacts the communities we serve, creating barriers to essential personal interactions with people.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I constantly remind myself to keep an open mind and genuinely remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. This isn’t just about being polite; it’s about truly listening to understand the person in front of you, whether they’re a client, a colleague, or someone with an opposing view. That foundation of respect is what builds the trust necessary to help people heal and to move forward together.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, my immediate and most effective response is to step away and take a walk. This simple act of changing my environment and moving my body helps to clear my head and disrupt the cycle of stress. I find that even a short, ten-minute walk allows me to return to a complex problem, like a facility design or a permitting hurdle, with a renewed sense of focus and calm.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
A key strategy for growing my business has been to proactively stay in touch with my professional network and, most importantly, to ensure every client is completely satisfied. After we complete a project, I will make a personal point to confirm they are pleased with our work. This commitment to exceptional service naturally turns our clients into our strongest advocates, generating the kind of referrals that are the lifeblood of my business.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I underestimated the complexity of a facility design, which led to significant project delays and budget issues. I overcame it by pausing the project, transparently communicating with all stakeholders to help restructure our plan. The experience taught me the critical lesson that even with a good design, success in this field depends on meticulous planning and the humility to ask for additional advice when it’s needed
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A powerful business idea is to launch a “White-Glove Client Service Agency” specifically for boutique professional firms, where the core offering is an unconditional, immediate response guarantee. This means all client calls, even on weekends, are returned within an hour, and any requested revisions to documents or projects are prioritized and actioned instantly, not just within 24 hours. In an era of automated responses and slow service, this unparalleled level of attentiveness would create fierce client loyalty and allow you to command a significant premium for making your clients feel like they are your only priority.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The most critical piece of software for my productivity is architectural design software, specifically AutoCAD. I use it daily to draft and refine the detailed plans and layouts for our projects, ensuring every space is optimally designed for the client’s needs. This tool is indispensable for turning a design into a buildable, permit-ready project that meets all regulatory requirements.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I’ve recently spent was on a quiet, unexpected dinner out with my wife. In the difficult world of state and local employees, it’s easy to let work consume you, so that intentional time to disconnect and focus on our relationship is priceless. It’s a small investment that pays massive dividends in perspective and personal happiness, which directly fuels my professional resilience.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite book is Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, which has been profoundly valuable both personally and professionally. Its teachings on mindfulness and staying present are especially crucial in my line of work, where the ability to manage stress and remain centered directly impacts my decision-making. The book serves as a constant reminder that true effectiveness, whether in helping a client or dealing with state agency, comes from a place of calm, focused awareness.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A series I’ve recently found deeply moving is The Chosen. I appreciate it for its uplifting and profound human portrayal of its characters. In my work, which often deals with government employees, this series serves as a powerful reminder of the themes of hope and grace that are central to the healing journey.
Key learnings
- Prioritizing client responsiveness is a foundational business strategy, where immediate communication and action on requests build exceptional trust.
- Maintaining physical and mental well-being through habits like regular exercise and taking walks is not a luxury, but a critical component for sustaining focus and preventing burnout.
- A commitment to operational excellence requires meticulous planning and the humility to seek expert help when needed, ensuring that even the most well-intentioned projects avoid costly delays.
- Actively practicing open-mindedness and respect for differing opinions creates a more collaborative environment, which is essential for solving problems and fostering genuine client relationships.