Family Owned and Operated Since 1951
Seventy-five years is a pretty big milestone. That’s 75 years of early mornings, muddy boots, long days, late-night emergency calls, and a whole lot of hard work. It’s also 75 years of earning the trust of families, businesses, municipalities, and contractors throughout the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.
This year, McRae’s Fraser Valley Septic Service is proud to celebrate 75 years in business—and we’d like to say thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.
It All Started with a Shovel
Back in 1951, brothers Bob McRae and Ike McRae had a simple goal: provide dependable septic services to customers throughout Vancouver. There were no fancy vacuum trucks, GPS systems, or computerized dispatching back then.
Just a shovel, a wheelbarrow, determination, and plenty of elbow grease.
Not long afterward, they purchased their very first truck—a 1948 Chevrolet flat deck with a 500-gallon tank strapped to the back. By today’s standards it wasn’t exactly a powerhouse, but it represented something much bigger: the beginning of a family business built on hard work, honesty, and showing up when customers needed help.
Growing with the Community
As British Columbia grew, so did McRae’s.
In 1975, Ian McRae began operating one of British Columbia’s first aluminum vacuum tank vehicles—a 1972 GMC 3,700-gallon tanker. Around the same time, Dan Jackson joined the company, first operating that vacuum truck before moving into a 1974 GMC 9500 hydro excavator, which became the first combination flush-and-vacuum truck in the Lower Mainland.
Innovation has always been part of our story. When better equipment became available, we invested. Not because shiny trucks are exciting (although they are), but because better equipment means better service, safer work, and happier customers.
From Three Trucks to Twenty
By 1994, Ian McRae and Dan Jackson had taken over operational management with a modest fleet of three vacuum tankers, one combination truck, and six dedicated employees.
In 2001, together Ian & Dan, started McRae’s Power Sweeping Ltd and currently have 12 sweepers in the fleet.
Fast forward to 2026, and McRae’s has grown into one of the Fraser Valley’s largest septic and environmental service companies, operating more than 20 specialized vehicles with a team of over 40 employees.
Today it’s common to spot a McRae’s truck working anywhere throughout the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. While our equipment has changed dramatically over the decades, our values haven’t. We’re still family owned, still community focused, and still believe every customer deserves reliable service delivered with professionalism and respect.
Safety Isn’t Just a Policy—It’s Our Culture
One of our proudest achievements this year came from Trans Mountain Corporation, who recognized McRae’s with the Best Regional (BC) Support Award for Contractor Safety.
Receiving this award is especially meaningful because Trans Mountain operates one of Canada’s most demanding industrial environments, where safety, communication, and consistency are absolutely essential.
Behind every successful job is a team that’s properly trained, ensuring every project is completed safely, responsibly, and in compliance with provincial regulations. This recognition belongs to every operator, technician, driver, mechanic, dispatcher, and office team member who chooses to do every job the right way—even when nobody is watching.
Because at McRae’s, safety has never been about checking a box. It’s simply how we work.
Giving Back Matters
Although we’re known for working behind the scenes—often while most people are still asleep—we believe supporting our community is just as important as serving it. Over the past few years we’ve proudly supported organizations making a real difference throughout the Fraser Valley, including TEAM BC Lacrosse, Clayton Heights Langley Rugby, Chilliwack Soroptimist, PALS Autism Society, the Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society, Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Royal Canadian Legion and Canadian Police Association.
Whether it’s helping young athletes chase big dreams, supporting women and girls through education, providing resources for families living with autism, or helping ensure neighbours have access to nutritious meals, these organizations remind us what strong communities are built on.
Showing up. It’s something we’ve believed in since 1951.
Looking Ahead
While we’re proud of our history, we’re even more excited about the future.
Technology will continue to evolve. Equipment will become smarter. Environmental standards will continue to improve. Through it all, McRae’s will continue doing what we’ve always done—providing dependable service backed by experienced people who genuinely care about the communities they serve.
To every customer who has trusted us, every employee who has worn the McRae’s logo, and every community partner who has supported us over the past 75 years… Thank you.
Here’s to the next 75 years of keeping the Fraser Valley flowing—one truck, one customer, and yes… one septic tank at a time.
