CLEARMASTERS
Emptying septic tanks and cesspits
We pump out tanks in the village, out at Burrows Cross and deep in the Hurtwood around Peaslake. Book a single empty or a regular round, and you get a waste transfer note for each load.
Learn moreShere is a much-visited Surrey Hills village, with old timber-framed cottages, the Tillingbourne running through the middle and a steady flow of walkers and cyclists. The parish, in Guildford borough, also takes in Gomshall, Peaslake and most of Holmbury St Mary.
Away from the main streets, many homes sit up tracks or among the trees and rely on a private tank, cesspit or small treatment plant. Older cottages often have drains that have been altered over the centuries, and listed buildings can limit where a new tank is allowed to go.
Our tankers and engineers are along the Tillingbourne valley on most days. We look after private drainage across the parish and over the boundary into Albury and Chilworth, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Our Shere drainage and waste services
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Septic Tank & Cesspit Emptying
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Treatment Plant Servicing
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Treatment Plant & Pump Repairs
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Septic Tank Surveys
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Treatment Plant Installations
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Blocked Drains & CCTV Surveys
Learn moreMore about septic tank emptying and treatment plant servicing in Shere.
Covering Shere
& villages
& villages
24/7
call-outs
call-outs
Homes &
businesses
businesses
Waste transfer
notes
notes
Own tanker
fleet
fleet
What we do for Shere homes
Treatment plant servicing
For plants in the valley and up on the hills, a yearly service keeps the discharge clean. Our engineers go over every working part and leave you a written report.
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Alarms, smells and breakdowns
When a plant or pump stops, we find out why and repair it, whether it’s a blower, a float switch, a pump or the control panel. Common spares travel with our engineers.
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Upgrades and new systems
If an old tank needs replacing, we can survey it, explain the choices and install a treatment plant or a new drainage field that suits the site.
Learn moreLocal knowledge
Drainage around Shere: what to know
Sand, springs and a very old village.
Lower Greensand
Most of the parish is sandy. Soakaways generally drain well, but effluent travels quickly, so keep tanks emptied on time.
The Tillingbourne
The river runs through Gomshall and Shere. Anything discharged to it must come from a well-maintained treatment plant.
Old and listed cottages
Many village homes are centuries old. A survey shows where the drains run before you plan any work.
Local to you
Areas we cover in and around Shere
We cover Shere parish and the villages either side of it along the Tillingbourne.
Shere parish · villages and hamlets
- Shere
- Gomshall
- Peaslake
- Holmbury St Mary
- Burrows Cross
Nearby · where we also work
- Albury
- Albury Heath
- Farley Green
- Brook
- Little London
- Chilworth
- Blackheath
- Abinger Hammer
Not sure if we cover you?
In or near Shere? We can help. Ring us, give your postcode and we’ll find a date that suits.
Nearby areas
Why Shere customers use us
Care for old villages and wooded hills
Whether it’s a cesspit up a Peaslake track or a treatment plant near the river at Gomshall, 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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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.
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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.
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
★★★★★Friendly efficient service at a reasonable cost. Arrived on time and operatives were helpful and polite.
Checkatrade review Checkatrade · GU5
★★★★★Arrived within 48 hours of booking, did the job, polite guys what more could you want!!!
★★★★★Prompt, quick, friendly service, Highly recommended.
How it works
What happens when you book
Straightforward, every time.
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Step 1
Tell us what you’ve got
Phone us or use the online booking form, and say what you have and what’s happening. If you’ve recently moved in and aren’t sure, describe what you can see and we’ll work it out.
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Step 2
We come out and do the job
We fix a date and send the right tanker or engineer. It helps if:
- you tell us where we can park, as village streets and wooded lanes are tight
- lids and inspection covers are clear of plants and leaves
- gates are open or we have the code
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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 Shere property
Tell us what you need and we’ll come back with a price. If something’s overflowing, call now.
- Free quotes for emptying, servicing and repairs
- Septic tanks, cesspits and treatment plants
- Surveys for buyers and sellers
Urgent?
03333 233566
Questions answered
Shere septic tank and treatment plant FAQs
What people in Shere, Gomshall and Peaslake ask us most.
Which council handles drainage planning in Shere?
Shere is in Guildford borough, so planning goes to Guildford Borough Council. Listed buildings, the village conservation area and the Surrey Hills National Landscape can all affect where a new tank or plant can go.
I’ve bought an old cottage in Shere. How do I find out what drainage it has?
Start with the sale paperwork, then look for lids and manholes in the garden. If it’s still unclear, a septic tank survey will find the tank, check its condition and show where it discharges.
Can you service plants that pump their treated water uphill?
Yes. Where the cleaned water has to be lifted to a soakaway or ditch higher up the slope, we check that pump and its float switch at every visit as well as the plant itself.
How often does a treatment plant around Shere need attention?
Plan on a service at least once a year, with desludging whenever the engineer says it’s due. We can do both in one visit and keep the records for you.
Does my septic tank meet the General Binding Rules?
If it drains to a working soakaway or drainage field, usually yes. If it drains to a ditch or the river, it needs upgrading. Read the rules on GOV.UK or give us a call.
What happens if my tank overflows at night?
Call 03333 233566; someone answers 24 hours a day. In the meantime, use as little water as you can: no baths, washing machine or dishwasher until we’ve been.
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.