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Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying in Dorking

Planned and emergency emptying for septic tanks and cesspits in the countryside around Dorking, using our own tankers and crews.

Most homes in Dorking itself are connected to the public sewer. The villages and farmland around the town are another matter. In the Holmwoods, around Capel, Ockley and Newdigate, and out on Ranmore Common, plenty of houses, farms and cottages send their waste to a septic tank or cesspit that has to be pumped out.

Once you head south past North Holmwood, the ground turns to Weald clay. A septic tank there depends on a drainage field in soil that takes up water slowly, so stopping sludge from washing through to the pipes is what gives the field a long life. Cesspits are a common choice on clay for the same reason: they hold everything and need no soakaway at all.

We empty tanks on a one-off basis or on a regular round, whichever suits you, and our crews are in the Dorking area most days. If a tank backs up in the evening or at the weekend, ring 03333 233566 and you’ll speak to a real person.

What's included

What our crews do on site

Here’s what to expect when the tanker arrives.

  • A full pump-out

    The tank is emptied into one of our own tankers, which hold between 2,000 and 4,000 gallons.

  • Lids put back securely

    Covers are refitted and left safe, so there’s nothing for children, pets or livestock to fall into.

  • Advice on your drainage field

    If the tank is backing up because the soakaway or drainage field can’t cope, we’ll tell you so you’re not paying for empties that won’t fix it.

  • Tidy and careful

    Hoses are laid neatly and anything we spill is cleaned up before we leave.

  • A look before we start

    The operator checks the level and condition of the tank first, so anything unusual is spotted before the pump goes on.

  • A reminder when it’s due

    If you’d like one, our office will get in touch when your next empty comes round.

Frequency, price and access

01
Clearmasters tanker emptying an underground septic tank through an open manhole

Chalk at Ranmore, clay at Newdigate

North of the town, homes at Ranmore Common and Westhumble sit on the chalk of the North Downs. Water sinks through chalk freely, so soakaways there rarely flood. The flip side is that badly settled effluent can reach the groundwater, which is why emptying on time matters even where the ground drains well.

Down at Newdigate, Capel and Beare Green it’s the reverse. The clay stays wet through the winter, so a field that copes in August can sit under water in February. If yours keeps struggling, we can advise on a replacement drainage field sized for heavy ground.

Learn more
02
A Clearmasters tanker emptying a tank at a rural property

The General Binding Rules

Septic tanks in England must meet the Environment Agency’s General Binding Rules. Tanks that discharge straight to a ditch, stream or river should have been upgraded or replaced, and every tank must be emptied before the sludge goes beyond its capacity.

If you’re not sure your system complies, a septic tank survey will tell you.

Learn more

Local to you

Septic tank emptying around Dorking

Our tankers cover Dorking and the villages around it, including Westcott, Mickleham, Ranmore Common, Brockham, the three Holmwoods, Beare Green, Capel, Ockley, Newdigate and Coldharbour. If you live on a farm track or down a shared drive anywhere in between, tell us when you book and we’ll plan the visit around your access. See the full Dorking area list.

Other services in Dorking

We look after the whole system, not just one part of it.

Related services

Call 03333 233566

What our customers say

9.84/10

Checkatrade

From 134 reviews · Read them
4.9/5

Google

From 63 reviews · Read them

Scores as of October 2026

★★★★★

Reliable and efficient company who have been emptying our Klargester for many years.

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · RH4
★★★★★

We have been dealing with Clearmasters for many years now. In fact over 25 years. They have always been 100% reliable, work with integrity, and have completed the clearances without any fuss. We would certainly recommend them.

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · RH5
★★★★★

Fantastic as always. Knowledgable team who are always polite and do a great job. Always impressed with quality of equipment and how clean it always is. This creates a great impression and tells you they are an employer who cares about is clients and most importantly its employees. Highly recommend.

Checkatrade review Checkatrade · RH5
Read all our reviews

Free, no-obligation quote

Book a septic tank or cesspit empty in Dorking

Let us know the type of tank and where it is, and we’ll quote and book you in. Overflowing? Call now.

  • Free quotes, one-off or regular emptying
  • Our own crews and tankers
  • Emergency call-outs 24/7
Emergency? 03333 233566

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Questions answered

Your emptying questions answered

Are the villages south of Dorking on mains drainage?

Not all of them. Many homes in the countryside around Capel, Ockley, Newdigate and the Holmwoods rely on private drainage instead. Your water bill is a good clue: if you aren’t charged for sewerage, you probably have a septic tank, a cesspit or a treatment plant. A survey will confirm which.

Do I need to be home when you come?

Not always. As long as we can reach the tank, the lid is uncovered and any gates are open, we can usually do the job and leave the paperwork. Let us know when you book.

What is a waste transfer note?

It’s a record of what waste was taken, who took it and where it went. Householders have a duty to make sure their waste goes to a registered carrier, so keep the note we give you after every empty.

Why does my cesspit near Newdigate fill faster in winter?

A sealed cesspit shouldn’t take in rainwater. If the level climbs faster after wet weather, groundwater may be seeping in through a cracked wall or a loose joint, which happens where the clay stays waterlogged. A survey can find where it’s getting in, so you stop paying to empty rainwater.

Will emptying fix a smell from my tank?

Sometimes. If the tank is simply full, emptying it will help. If the smell comes from a blocked outlet or a failing drainage field, we’ll tell you what we find so you can put the cause right.

Should I add anything to my septic tank?

Generally no. A healthy tank works on its own bacteria. The best thing you can do is keep wipes, fat, oils and strong chemicals out of it and have it emptied regularly.

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.

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