Septic tank and cesspit emptying, treatment plant servicing and drain clearance for homes, farms and businesses in Steyning and the villages around it.
Steyning sits at the foot of the South Downs, where the chalk hills meet the clay of the Low Weald. It’s a historic town with plenty of old buildings, and around it, in villages like Ashurst, Wiston, Washington and Partridge Green and on the farms in between, many homes aren’t connected to the mains sewer.
That makes septic tanks, cesspits and treatment plants a big part of our work here. The two kinds of ground behave very differently: the chalk drains well but holds groundwater used for drinking water, while the clay to the north drains slowly and makes drainage fields work hard. We take both into account when we look at a system.
In the town itself, we clear and survey drains in older properties and empty grease traps for pubs and cafés. Our tankers cover Steyning from our yard in Copthorne, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
From cottages at the foot of the downs to farms out towards Ashurst and Partridge Green, we empty septic tanks and cesspits with tankers holding 2,000 to 4,000 gallons. We check the inlet and outlet while we’re there, and tell you honestly if anything needs attention. For cesspits, we can set up regular collections.
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A treatment plant needs a service at least once a year to keep treating properly. Our engineers service all the common makes, carry the most common parts, and repair or replace blowers, pumps and diffusers. We can remind you when the next service is due.
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Old houses in and around Steyning often have old clay drains, and roots, cracks and displaced joints are common. We clear blockages with high-pressure jetting and survey the drains with a camera, so you can see what’s wrong before anyone digs.
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If you’re buying a property with a septic tank, or your old tank drains to a ditch or stream, a survey tells you where you stand under the Environment Agency’s rules. When a system needs replacing, we can install a new treatment plant and drainage field.
Learn moreLocal knowledge
Where the downs meet the Weald, the ground changes quickly, and so does the drainage.
The downs are chalk, which drains freely and holds groundwater used for drinking. Close to the most sensitive sources, discharging to the ground can need a permit.
Out towards Ashurst and Partridge Green, heavy clay drains slowly. Drainage fields there need to be larger and can struggle in wet winters.
Older and listed properties often have drainage that has been altered over the years. We find out where it all goes before recommending work.
Local to you
From the town to the villages and farms at the foot of the downs and across the Low Weald, we cover Steyning and the area around it.
Steyning · town and nearby
Surrounding villages · where septic tanks and cesspits are common
If you’re anywhere around Steyning, the answer is almost certainly yes. Call with your postcode and we’ll confirm.
Why Steyning customers use us
Whether it’s a septic tank at a cottage in Bramber or a cesspit on a farm near Ashurst, here’s what you can expect.
We’ve been emptying tanks and servicing systems since long before most of the kit on the market existed.
Emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a real person answering the phone.
Our engineers and most of our tanker drivers hold current confined space entry certificates, and the engineers carry the most common parts.
A waste transfer note with every collection, and a written report after surveys and services.
Regular customers get a reminder when their next empty or service is due.
Tanks, treatment plants, pump stations, grease traps and drains, all handled by one team.
Checkatrade
From 134 reviews · Read them
From 63 reviews · Read them
Scores as of September 2026
★★★★★First of all the engineer attended site exactly on time and the slot had been within a couple of days of phoning. The required work was completed and the motor realigned to prevent future wear. The engineer also provided advice and a written report. I was not only impressed with the attention to detail, but the rates for the work were very reasonable - just parts (with a 12month warranty) and labour. There were no callout or other unfair charges on top.
Checkatrade review Checkatrade · RH20
★★★★★Always receive a great service from the guys that arrive but also from the office who always remind me when my tank is due to be emptied. Very professional and helpful
★★★★★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.
How it works
The same simple process whether it’s a regular tank empty, a service or a one-off problem.
Step 1
Call us or book online and tell us what you have, and what’s wrong if anything. If you don’t know what kind of system it is, we’ll find out when we get there.
Step 2
We send the right size tanker or a service van. It helps if:
Step 3
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
Regular emptying, a service or a one-off job, tell us what you need and we’ll come back with a price. If something’s overflowing, call us now instead.
Questions answered
The questions we’re asked most often by homeowners, landlords and businesses in and around Steyning.
For a typical family home, about once a year. It depends on the size of the tank and how many people use it. We can suggest a schedule after the first empty.
Find out what type of system it is, where it discharges, when it was last emptied and whether it meets the Environment Agency’s General Binding Rules. The seller must tell you about it in writing. A septic tank survey gives you a clear picture before you commit.
Most small domestic systems don’t, as long as they meet the General Binding Rules. Close to drinking water sources, like parts of the chalk downs, the rules are stricter and a permit may be needed. We can help you check.
On clay ground, the soil can’t take any more water once it’s saturated. Emptying the tank more often through the winter helps. If it floods every year, the drainage field may be too small or worn out.
Yes, all the common makes. Most need at least one service a year, plus emptying when the sludge builds up.
Our tankers are based in Copthorne and cover the whole of West Sussex. For emergencies, call 03333 233566 and we’ll tell you honestly when we can be there. Routine work is booked at a time that suits you.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.
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