Emergency Tank Emptying
Request urgent septic tank, cesspit or treatment plant emptying from operators covering your postcode.
If sewage is backing up, a cesspit is close to overflowing or a private drainage tank has unexpectedly reached capacity, mark the request as urgent so suitable local operators can understand the priority immediately.
When tank emptying becomes urgent
Common warning signs include toilets or drains backing up, strong sewage smells, visible high liquid levels, wastewater surfacing around the tank or drainage area, or an alarm indicating a high level. Some of these symptoms can also indicate a blockage or drainage-field problem, so emptying is not always the complete repair.
What to do while waiting for a tanker
- Reduce unnecessary water use to slow additional flow into the system.
- Keep people and animals away from any sewage-contaminated area.
- Do not remove covers unless it is safe and necessary for the attending professional.
- Make access as straightforward as possible for a large tanker vehicle.
- Tell the operator immediately about flooding, difficult access or pollution near a ditch, stream or watercourse.
Overflow or pollution risk
If sewage is escaping from the system, treat it as more than an inconvenience. Private drainage systems have environmental responsibilities in both England and Wales. The appropriate environmental regulator or local authority may need to be contacted where there is a significant pollution incident.
Why urgent prices may vary
Emergency work can involve unscheduled travel, out-of-hours attendance, additional tanker mileage or difficult site conditions. Giving accurate information first time is particularly important when you need rapid attendance.
After the emergency empty
If the tank filled unusually quickly or symptoms return soon after emptying, investigate the underlying system rather than repeatedly pumping it out. Problems can include excess water entering the system, blocked pipework, damaged tanks, failed drainage fields or treatment-plant faults.