CLEARMASTERS
Septic tanks and cesspits
We empty septic tanks and cesspits for homes, farms and cottages around Epping and check the tank every visit. On clay, regular emptying keeps solids out of the drainage field.
Learn moreEpping is an old market town in Essex at the northern end of Epping Forest, at the end of the Central line. Around it are villages and hamlets such as Theydon Bois, Coopersale, Thornwood, North Weald, Toot Hill and Abridge, and a lot of farms, cottages and large homes that rely on septic tanks, cesspits and treatment plants.
Epping Forest is protected for its wildlife, and the streams that run from it are sensitive to pollution, so private drainage near the forest needs to work properly. The ground is mostly London Clay and boulder clay, which drain slowly, so drainage fields often struggle in winter.
Our crews work in Essex and east London most days and we answer the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our Epping drainage services
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Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying
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Treatment Plant Servicing
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Septic Tank Surveys
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Treatment Plant & Pump Repairs
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Blocked Drains & CCTV Surveys
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Treatment Plant Installations
Learn moreEpping &
the forest
the forest
Homes, farms
& cottages
& cottages
Plant servicing
& repairs
& repairs
Waste transfer
notes
notes
24/7
call-outs
call-outs
What we do for Epping customers
Treatment plant servicing
Treatment plants near the forest need to work properly to protect its streams. Our engineers service them at least once a year and leave a written report.
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Surveys for buyers and upgrades
A septic tank survey tells you what system a property has, its condition and whether it meets the General Binding Rules.
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Repairs and new plants
When a plant fails, we find the fault and fix it. If an old tank needs replacing, we can install a treatment plant.
Learn moreLocal knowledge
Drainage around Epping: what to know
A protected forest on heavy clay.
Epping Forest
The forest is protected, and streams from it are sensitive. Septic tanks must not discharge to a ditch or stream.
Clay ground
London Clay and boulder clay drain slowly, so drainage fields struggle in winter.
Old cottages
Many cottages and farmhouses have old tanks. A survey shows their condition.
Local to you
Areas we cover in and around Epping
We cover Epping and the villages around Epping Forest.
Epping · town and nearby
- Epping
- Coopersale
- Theydon Bois
- Thornwood
- Epping Green
- Bell Common
Surrounding villages · where private drainage is common
- North Weald
- Toot Hill
- Stapleford Tawney
- Abridge
- Theydon Mount
- Fyfield
- Ongar
- Moreton
- Matching
- Nazeing
- Loughton
- Waltham Abbey
Not sure if we cover you?
If you’re in or around Epping, we cover you. Call with your postcode and we’ll confirm.
Why Epping customers use us
Careful work near the forest
Whether it’s a cesspit at a farm near Toot Hill or a treatment plant in Theydon Bois, here’s what you get.
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34 years in drainage
We’ve been emptying tanks and servicing systems since long before most of the kit on the market existed.
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Trained engineers
Our engineers and most of our tanker drivers hold current confined space entry certificates, and the engineers carry the most common parts.
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We remember so you don’t have to
Regular customers get a reminder when their next empty or service is due.
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Paperwork done properly
A waste transfer note with every collection, and a written report after surveys and services.
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The right kit for the job
Tankers from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons, jet/vac combination units, CCTV survey kit and confined space teams for pump station wet wells.
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Day and night, all year
Emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a real person answering the phone.
What our customers say
9.84/10
Checkatrade
From 134 reviews · Read them
4.9/5
From 63 reviews · Read them
Scores as of September 2026
★★★★★I have used this business for several years now and they have consistently provided outstanding service.. Every member of staff has been friendly, competent and professional. Very impressive.
Antony A. Google review
★★★★★Came out within an hour on an emergency call out. Great service. Fast reliable reasonable prices. Highly Recommended
★★★★★Our family have been using Clearmasters for years and are the only choice as far as we are concerned! All the staff are friendly, helpful and accommodating. Couldn’t recommend them highly enough!
How it works
What happens when you book
Simple and the same every time.
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Step 1
Tell us what you’ve got
Call us or book online and tell us what system you have and when it was last emptied, if you know.
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Step 2
We come out and do the job
We book a date and send the right tanker or engineer. It helps if:
- there’s firm standing for a tanker, as clay lawns and verges get soft in winter
- tank lids and covers are uncovered and easy to find
- you tell us about narrow lanes, long drives, gates or livestock
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Step 3
Paperwork and the next visit
You get a waste transfer note for anything we take away, and a written report after a survey or service. If it’s a regular job, we’ll remind you when the next one is due.
Free, no-obligation quote
Get a quote for your Epping property
Tell us what you need and we’ll come back with a price. If something’s overflowing, call us now.
- Free quotes for emptying, servicing and surveys
- Septic tanks, cesspits and treatment plants
- Help with General Binding Rules upgrades
Urgent?
03333 233566
Questions answered
Epping septic tank FAQs
What homeowners and farms around Epping ask us most.
Does my septic tank near the forest need upgrading?
If it discharges directly to a ditch or stream, yes, under the General Binding Rules. Read the rules on GOV.UK, or ask for a survey.
Why does my drainage field fail every winter?
Clay holds water, so fields can be saturated for months. Regular emptying helps; sometimes the field needs extending or replacing.
Is Epping in London?
No, it’s in Essex, just beyond London’s northern edge. We cover it alongside north-east London.
How often should a treatment plant be serviced?
At least once a year, and most need emptying about once a year too.
Do you empty septic tanks in North Weald and Theydon Bois?
Yes, and in the other villages around Epping.
Can you help in an emergency?
Yes. Our crews work in Essex most days and we answer the phone 24 hours a day. Call 03333 233566.
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.