CLEARMASTERS
Our tankers and engineers work in East Sussex most days. Crowborough, Uckfield and the High Weald are a short run from our yard in Copthorne, and our crews cover the whole county, from Brighton and Hove along the coast to Eastbourne, Hastings and Rye.
East Sussex has some very different drainage from one end to the other. The High Weald in the north is clay and sandstone, full of farms and cottages on septic tanks. The South Downs run along the coast, with chalk that supplies drinking water. In the east, the Pevensey Levels and Romney Marsh are flat, wet and protected, and cesspits are common. And the coastal towns are busy with restaurants, hotels and flats.
Every town below has its own page explaining what we see there and which villages we cover. Wherever you are, you get the same team, the same paperwork and the same 24-hour phone line.
Our services in East Sussex
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Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying
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Treatment Plant Servicing
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Pump Station Servicing
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Blocked Drains & CCTV Surveys
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Grease Traps & Commercial Waste
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Gullies & Interceptors
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call-outs
fleet
businesses
notes
Local knowledge
What drainage looks like in East Sussex
Weald, Downs, marsh and a busy coast.
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The High Weald
Around Crowborough, Heathfield, Uckfield and Battle, clay and sandstone mean drainage fields that struggle in winter, narrow lanes and lots of older private systems.
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The South Downs
Lewes, Seaford and the downland villages sit in the national park, on chalk that supplies drinking water. Tanks must work properly and new systems may need park planning permission.
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The levels and the marsh
Around Hailsham, Rye and Winchelsea, flat, wet land and protected ditches mean drainage fields often fail and cesspits are common.
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Busy coastal towns
Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings are full of restaurants, hotels and flats, where grease traps, shared drains and basement pumps keep us busy.
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Holiday parks
Caravan and holiday parks at Camber and Winchelsea Beach rely on pump stations that need servicing before the busy season.
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New estates
Large new developments around Hailsham, Uckfield and Bexhill often have private pump stations run by management companies.
Local to you
Towns we cover in East Sussex
Every town below has its own page, and we cover the villages around each one.
What our customers say
Checkatrade
From 134 reviews · Read them
From 63 reviews · Read them
Scores as of September 2026
★★★★★They were able to come to clean out my septic tank in a short timeframe. They were careful about not damaging the plants in the area around the septic tank and the technician was polite and helpful. Thank you for your help.
Checkatrade review Checkatrade · TN22
★★★★★Clearmasters have emptied our Septic Tank for many years. It is not an easy placed tank to get to but the chaps manage perfectly. I find them very efficient, friendly and polite. Thank you Valerie Wise
★★★★★So glad we found them. The team was professional, courteous and helpful. They came the next day and pricing is way more competitive than a national chain. Will be using them again in a year's time to service the pump. Thanks again!
Not sure if we cover you?
If you’re anywhere in East Sussex, we cover you. Call with your postcode and we’ll confirm.
Neighbouring areas
Questions answered
East Sussex septic tank and drainage FAQs
Do you cover the whole of East Sussex?
Yes. Our crews work across the county most days, from Crowborough and Uckfield in the north to Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Rye on the coast.
Why do so many homes on the marsh have cesspits?
Land on Romney Marsh and the Pevensey Levels is flat and low with a high water table, so drainage fields often can’t work. A cesspit holds everything until it’s emptied.
Do I need planning permission for a new treatment plant?
Sometimes, especially in the South Downs National Park or the High Weald National Landscape. The system must also meet the Environment Agency’s General Binding Rules or have a permit.
Do you empty grease traps in Brighton and Eastbourne?
Yes. We empty grease traps for restaurants, hotels and takeaways across the coastal towns, with a waste transfer note every time.
Who looks after the pump station on my estate?
If the water company hasn’t adopted it, usually the management company. We service estate pump stations across East Sussex and respond 24/7 if the alarm goes off.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
Fully accredited & compliant
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
SafeContractor
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
RISQS
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Achilles UVDB
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Trading Standards Approved
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
NADC Member
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered Waste Carrier
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.