Regular Interceptor Cleaning
An interceptor only works if it has capacity to keep separating oil, fuel and silt from your surface water drainage. Left too long between services, that capacity fills up — and once it does, your interceptor stops protecting your site and starts putting you at risk of a pollution incident, an Environment Agency enforcement notice, or a prosecution where directors can be held personally liable.
The Environment Agency recommends interceptors are serviced at least every six months — more frequently on high-usage sites. Most of the interceptor call-outs we get are from sites that had a clean once, assumed that was job done, and are now dealing with an overflow, an odour complaint, or a failed inspection.
3 – 6
months between services, per Environment Agency guidance
24/7
emergency response if a spill or overflow can’t wait
Interceptor Maintenance Plans
Every site is scheduled around actual usage, not a generic calendar reminder. We’ll access your interceptor on the first visit and help you set up a plan that keeps you compliant without paying for unnecessary visits.
Quarterly
Designed for high-usage sites
Petrol stations, HGV depots, car washes and other high-throughput sites where oil and silt build up fast.
- Service every 3 months
- Full vacuum & jet-wash of the chamber
- Duty of Care paperwork after every visit
6 Monthly
Moderate-use commercial sites
Retail parks, warehouses, car parks and industrial units — the Environment Agency’s standard recommended interval.
- Service every 6 months
- Full vacuum & jet-wash of the chamber
- Duty of Care paperwork after every visit
- Priority booking if an issue comes up between visits
Bespoke
Multi-site & larger commercial operators
Facilities managers and operators with several sites across our coverage area with one point of contact, one schedule, consistent reporting across every location.
- Frequency set per site, based on survey
- Consolidated scheduling & reporting across sites
- Dedicated account contact
How much does interceptor emptying cost?
A one-off interceptor emptying typically costs between £500 and £2,500. The exact price depends on factors like the size and location of the interceptor, and the liquid-to-silt ratio of what needs removing. Every interceptor has its own requirements, but most jobs fall within this range.
Sites on one of our maintenance plans avoid paying one-off callout rates altogether regular servicing keeps each visit smaller and more predictable, and pricing is agreed upfront as part of the plan.
What happens on a service visit
1. Inspection
We check oil, silt and debris build-up, and inspect any mechanical parts, probes, alarms and closure devices to confirm the system is still functioning as designed.
2. Vacuum & jet-wash
Using our fleet of vacuum tanker and jet-vac’s, we remove built-up oil, sludge and silt, then jet-wash the chamber to clear anything left behind.
3. Paperwork & compliance
You’ll get full Duty of Care documentation confirming your waste was correctly removed and disposed of at a licensed facility, ready to show in an inspection.
4. Next visit scheduled
If you’re on a maintenance plan, your next service is already booked in and we are available 24/7 for emergencies.
Sites We Service
Interceptors are found anywhere vehicles might leak fuel or oil onto the ground, or where wastewater needs separating before it reaches a public sewer or watercourse:
- Petrol stations & forecourts
- Car parks & car wash bays
- HGV depots & bus depots
- Vehicle maintenance & workshop sites
- Retail parks & supermarkets
- Industrial units & construction compounds
- Fire stations
- Highways & road drainage schemes
Interceptor cleaning across East Sussex, Kent, Surrey & West Sussex
Based in Eastbourne, we run scheduled interceptor maintenance for commercial and industrial sites throughout London and the South, including:
East Sussex: Eastbourne, Brighton & Hove, Lewes, Hailsham, Heathfield
Kent: Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury
Surrey: Guildford, Redhill, Reigate, Kingston, Woking
West Sussex: Crawley, Horsham, Chichester, Worthing
London and Greater London boroughs
Additional forecourt and interceptor services
A range of services can help prolong the life and efficiency of your interceptor:
- CCTV drain surveys to identify any blockages
- Drain jetting to clear and clean your interceptor of debris
- Liquid waste disposal via powerful vacuum tankers to keep your drainage system clean
- Interceptor installation & replacement if your current system needs upgrading
We’re licensed and accredited by the Environment Agency for interceptor emptying, and operate across East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and London, bringing quality service, reliability and best value for separator and interceptor emptying.
Frequently Asked Questions: Interceptor Cleaning
The Environment Agency recommends every six months as a minimum, and every three months for high-usage sites like petrol stations, HGV depots and car washes. Left longer, the interceptor loses the capacity to separate oil and fuel from your drainage, increasing the risk of a pollution incident.
They’re part of the same visit. Emptying removes the built-up oil, sludge and silt using a vacuum tanker; cleaning includes jet-washing the chamber afterwards so the system is fully clear, not just emptied.
One-off visits are available, but most sites move to a scheduled plan after their first service which works out more cost-effective, keeps you consistently compliant, and means you’re not relying on remembering to book before an inspection or a problem forces it.
All waste is transported and disposed of at a licensed treatment facility, with full Duty of Care documentation provided so you have a complete compliance record.
Yes, our Bespoke Plan is built for facilities managers and operators with several sites across the South East, with consolidated scheduling and reporting from a single point of contact.
Call our 24/7 emergency line on 0800 171 2204. We provide emergency call-out response for spills and overflows outside of scheduled visits.