Learning Center

The ancients had to deal much more directly with many things that we take for granted today.  One of those things was personal hygiene, and it was here that the Romans were remarkble leaders given their time and environment.  Not only did they construct aqueducts that carried fresh water to the world's greatest cities and build intricate bathing facilities for the general population, they took it one step farther.  They created the Goddess Cloacina to preside over the Cloaca Maxima, an intricate and far ranging sewer system that was considered vital to the health of the Roman people.

Cloacina was an "aspect" of Venus who was the Goddess of Beauty.  And to the Romans, a very practical people, personal hygiene and a reliable sewer system constituted critical parts of beauty and health.  Without a sound sewer system to remove waste and refuse from Rome, and without a prominent Goddess to protect it, Roman health and sanitation would simply go down the drain.   And not only did they revere Cloacina as an important deity, they also constructed a shirine and a major statue to her in the forum in the middle of the city.  They even celebrated holidays and wrote poems in her honor.  To the Romans, life without good sanitation was unthinkable. 

Russell Reid serves that same function two millenia later, although to our knowledge, nobody has constructed a shrine in our honor.  Russell Reid's wastewater pumping services safely and effectively remove waste to help keep wastewater infrastructure in peak operating condition.  Our trucks then transport the waste for proper disposal to help keep our environment clean and healthy.  In addition, Mr. John's portable toilets and portable showers extend sewer systems beyond muncipal boundaries, and they help provide relief and a clean, attractive place for thousands of construction workers, event goers, and concert attendees throughout the region. 

Cloacina is no longer revered in theology, but she symbolizes all the good things that Russell Reid and Mr. John bring to the community.  We provide an essential public health service and make life better for thousands of people.  In short, Cloacina's good work goes on.  Only now, that good work is done under the banner of Russell Reid and Mr. John.