Cesspool/septic tank

It is an offence under the Public Health Act 1936 to permit a cesspool to leak or overflow. The owner or occupier of premises with such a system should ensure the tank is watertight and emptied regularly by a licensed contractor who will dispose of the contents at a sewage treatment works.

This Act also applies to septic tanks that are not properly maintained and produce an effluent that is prejudicial to health or a nuisance.

Descriptions of private drainage systems are available in the Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guidelines - Disposal of sewage where no mains drainage is available.

To complain about pollution from a private drainage system contact the environmental health department.

Standard domestic emptying of cesspools

Tandridge Commercial Services operates a cesspool emptying service. A standard domestic emptying is where a cesspool can be accessed easily and no more than twelve pipes are used. Where extra pipes are required an additional charge of £3 per three metre pipe length has to be levied on each emptying.

Cesspool/septic waste collection charges from 23 November 2009

To arrange a routine service, or an emergency service during normal working hours, please call 01883 732775. Emergency service will be within two working days and is subject to availability. The charges for these are shown in the table below.

To arrange an out of hours emergency service, subject to availability of staff, please call 01883 722000. The charges are shown in the table below.

Additional information

• The only available time to meet the engineer will be for a routine service that is the first call of the day. An additional charge will apply.
• For service requiring two operatives an extra man charge of £29 will be applied.
• No deduction or credit made for part units.
• For pipe lays requiring over twelve pipes a charge of £3 per pipe will apply.

For further information please contact cesspools and septic tanks on 01883 732733 or e-mail depot@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted RH8 0BT

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