FAQs

1. Please check the estimated lead time on the items you have purchased. You can usually find this on the website product page or on your order confirmation. If your order is still within this time frame it should be delivered soon, however for peace of mind, we can check delivery dates for you, just give us a call.
2. Contact us

If your estimated delivery date has passed, please get in touch with our sales team and we will be happy to assist with your enquiry.

We offer either courier delivery or collection (if you would like to collect, please contact us first to make sure the product you are wishing to collect is available). Please Note - Collection is unfortunately not available from our Minehead Offices.

For larger items our standard delivery is ‘customer offloading’, however if a tail lift or HIAB delivery is required or there is an issue with access, please give us a ring to find out options available and any costs if applicable.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ
Please ensure that the product you are ordering from Tanks Direct is the correct size and suitable for the purpose. Special order, bespoke, or non-stock tanks are not returnable. If you order a tank and find that it is too big, too small, or not suitable for your requirements it can be expensive to return it.
Our cancellation & returns policy explains this in more detail (see Terms & Conditions).

Delivery Charges
Our shipping costs cover most of the UK - however, parts of England, Scottish Highlands and Islands including areas north of the Glasgow / Edinburgh border, Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Anglesey, Western Isles, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Isles of Scilly, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland may cost more.

Please call before ordering if the delivery postcode is listed below. There may be additional shipping costs.

AB, BT, CA, CT, DD, DG, EH, FK,G, GY, IM, IV, JE, KA, KW, KY, LD, LL, ML, PA, PH, PO 30-41 (Isle of Wight), SA, SY, TD, TN, TR, ZE

Southern Ireland
 

Looking to avoid Shipping Charges?

All our tanks are available for collection "ex works", our suppliers are based all over the UK - please call if you wish to collect.

Overseas Orders.
International orders are welcome.
Payment is by IBAN / Swift / Bic, Moneygram and letters of credit.
We regret that credit cards are not accepted for international orders.
A purchase order is required, we will then create a pro-forma invoice, tanks are ordered on clearance of funds.

If you require any additional export documentation (i.e Certificate of Origin,  commercial invoices certified by the Chamber of Commerce) you must notify us before completion of your order as we will have to invoice cost and admin charges to the order.

Please call if you have any questions. Tel: +44 (0)1643 703358

Collection is available for most items, however, not all products are available in one location. Please contact us to find out where you can collect before placing your order.

Sorry, we only deliver on weekdays.

For our larger tanks, we offer ‘Customer offloading’ delivery. This entails the customer to acquire the right manpower and/or machinery to help unload the tank/s from the delivery vehicle.

If you require assistance with offloading, we may be able to offer a tail lift (lowers the tank to the ground) or HIAB (lorry with a mounted crane to winch the tank off the delivery vehicle). Please contact us if this is required for delivery.

Unless a hi-ab delivery has been booked at additional cost, it is the customer's responsibility to offload with suitable equipment on the day of delivery and a failed delivery may result in additional charges.

We recommend installers and/or plant hire & materials for install such as excavators, aggregates etc are not booked until you are in receipt of the goods. Tanks Direct cannot be held responsible for costs incurred due to unforeseen delays, please see our terms for more details.

If you have any questions regarding your delivery please contact the Sales Team on 01643 703358.

This may be possible depending on how far your order has been processed. Please contact us as soon as you can so we can try and avoid any costs already incurred being passed onto you.

It’s always best if you can be there to check the goods before signing for them and to avoid any re-delivery charges that may apply.

For smaller orders delivered by Royal Mail or other courier services, the delivery driver will leave a card at the address with details on how to proceed with collecting from their nearest depot or arranging the re-delivery.

For larger items which are delivered by a pallet service, this may incur an additional delivery charge to re-arrange the service. Please contact our sales team if you need more information on re-arranging a delivery.

When placing your order, please write in the customer comments where you would like the delivery to be left, e.g. in the porch, behind the gate etc. If you are unable to take delivery, please give the customer sales team a ring, and they will be happy to try and rearrange the delivery to a date that suits. Failure to let us know if no one is in to take delivery, may lead to additional costs for a missed delivery. Any goods left in safe place are left at the customer's own risk. 

Some products are available on a next day service, cut off times vary. Please contact us for more details.

Each product has their own specific lead time, which is the time it takes from placing your order until it is delivered to your chosen address. This includes manufacturing and processing times. The lead times can be found on the product page.

We try to update the lead times weekly, however if the lead times changes and you have placed an order, we will contact you as soon as we can.

If you require a product sooner than the lead time advertised, please give the sales team a ring to see if we can accommodate this for you.

To place an order for a large or bulk quantity, please contact us with the product details, quantities, and required delivery address and we would be happy to quote for you.

We can provide quotations for any of our products or bespoke products. Please provide us with the following so we can quote correctly –

Billing and shipping address, if different

Contact name and number

Purchase order, if applicable.

We aim to respond within 24 hours, during working hours, for the request sent, however bespoke items can take up to 48 hours.

There is no minimum quantity requirement for the majority of our products. However, if any of our products require a minimum quantity, it will be clearly stated on product page before purchasing.

Our customer sales team would be happy to place an order over the phone for you, along with answering any question you may have regarding our products.

If you are experiencing trouble with placing an order on our website, please contact with our sales team, who will be happy to assist with your requests.

This may be possible depending on how far your order has been processed. Please contact us as soon as you can so we can try and avoid any costs already incurred being passed onto you.

If you receive a faulty item or an item damaged on delivery, please take photos of the issue and email us at [email protected]. One of the team will respond as soon as possible.

You may receive more than one delivery for different items in your order. To check this please contact our sales team.

Payment can be made via bank transfer using the details shown on your invoice, by cheque, or by credit/debit card online here

We are also happy to take card payments over the phone, call our friendly sales team on 01643 703358.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, plus BACS payment or cheque.

Your order will start to be processed as soon as it is received, if you wish to add items or change any part of your order, please contact us as soon as possible and we will try our best to accommodate this for you.

We will always aim to match or even offer a better price against any genuine quote. See here for terms and conditions and how to get a ‘Price Match’ (link to price match page similar to  https://www.fueltankshop.co.uk/information/15-price-match ?? ) We can’t guarantee we can beat all prices; we will however do our very best to try.

Please contact us via email [email protected] or by phone 01643 703358 and we will be able to send a copy of your invoice for you.

If you wish to return goods, please complete the form by following the link on this page to provide further information.

Once your request is approved, a valid Returns Authorisation Number (RAN) will be issued to initiate the returns process along with information on how & where to return your order along with any costs involved.

Please DO NOT return any goods without this authorisation. Goods cannot be accepted without this.

Returns are not accepted at our Minehead Office, please wait until we contact you before returning any goods. 

Returns Form

Unfortunately, we cannot exchange goods once your order has been delivered. The returns process above should be followed and a new order for the required goods should be placed.

Your refund will be processed as soon as we receive confirmation that your goods have been successfully delivered back to the correct warehouse in re-saleable condition.

If you would like to check if your returned goods have been received back, please contact us and we can advise further.

Restocking and administration fees of up to 30% + VAT of the total order value may be chargeable to our business customers only.

If you receive a message that says your email address/password isn't recognised, there's a few things worth checking:

• Make sure you are using the same email address and password you registered with.
• If you can't remember your password, click on the 'forgotten password' link on the sign in page. You'll be prompted to enter your email address and we'll send you an email with a link that will allow you to create a new password for your account.

If after this you still can't sign in, contact our Customer service department giving as much detail as you can about the issue, including screen shots of any error message you get and what you've done so far to try to resolve it.

Sometimes we will not be able to give a price on site due to a number of reasons including it being a custom product.  If no price is shown, please contact our customer service department via email or phone and they will be able to get a price from our suppliers for you as quickly as possible

To sign up to be an account customer please navigate to Trade customers at the top of the home page.  This will then present you with a trade registration form to complete.

To sign in use the Login link at the top of the page then sign in with your account credentials.  This will then bring you to your account and navigate to ‘My details’ once here you will be able to edit your details then press update.

If you have any queries regarding your statements, please contact our customer service department via email or telephone and they will be happy to assist you.

Glass Reinforced Plastic tanks are made from high quality GRP material manufactured to BS EN 13280:2001, are suitable for all cold water applications, insulated tanks are also suitable for external applications, and are fully WRAS approved.

Most GRP tanks are supplied fully pre-insulated with PU foam fully encapsulated within the GRP laminate, GRP tanks come in a wide range of standard sizes and can also be supplied bespoke to suit your specific size and configuration requirements.

An AG type airgap provides mains water protection from fluid category 1-4 with standard lid arrangement for an inlet float valve fitted in the body of the tank, and an AB type air gap, also known as category 5, is when a raised float valve housing is fitted with a spill over weir in addition to the overflow in the body of the tank.

1 & 2 piece tanks are available from 90 to 12,000 litres, sectional tanks can be supplied from 125 to 2,000,000 litres. Usually where access permits a 1 piece can be used without any assembly needed, if access is restricted a 2 piece tank can be installed and the top and bottom halved bolted together on site. Sectional tanks are for where access restrictions or other conditions deny the installation of one and two piece tanks. They comprise of individual bolt-up panels which are assembled on site.

A float valve will usually be sized to suit your incoming mains water supply, so if you have a 25 mm incoming mains you will need a 1” float valve. If we supply the float valve with your tank we will size and supply the overflow to suit this.

The Water Regulation Advisory Scheme sets legal requirements for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances. These Regulations and Bye laws apply in all types of premises supplied, or to be supplied with water by a water company. All of our insulated GRP tanks are fully WRAS approved, so can be connected to a mains cold water supply. These regulations do not apply where a property uses a private water supply and does not have a supply of water from a water company.

Our GRP tanks are usually supplied without any connections, as many customers supply and fit their own. However we can supply a comprehensive range of items including inlet float valves, outlet connections and other fittings to suit your individual application. Please contact us to discuss or request a quote for your requirements.

If you require a booster pump, you must fit a break tank to the incoming mains water supply to connect to the pump set. Our GRP tanks are ideal for break tanks. We can supply a wide range of booster sets where a break tank is needed.

Yes, we can supply a quote for cleaning existing tanks. We can also arrange to clean and disinfect newly installed tanks as part of the supply and assembly service on all new 1, 2 & sectional tanks.

Head is the height in which the pump is lifting the waste, measured from cover level of the pump station, to the cover level of the discharge manhole. With this measurement we can ensure we supply a pump powerful enough to lift the waste up that high. We will need to know this and also the distance that it is pumping to make sure the pump quoted is suitable.

An automatic pump is a pump that will automatically turn itself on and off as the liquid level rises and falls. These pumps are usually longer lasting as they do not burn out but switch off automatically if there is no liquid to pump therefore, they do not run dry.

If you have an application where the risk of blockages that could enter the drain run is higher than usual, for example if the property is rented, tenants could unwillingly block the pump, this is also a problem if it is an apartment block as you wouldn’t be able to source who was responsible for blocking It, but everyone would need to pay their share to fix it.

Also, macerator pumps, because of how they cut through the waste, they can pump a much higher head (vertical distance), so when compared to vortex pumps, if you have anything over 10m, you will need to be selecting macerator pumps. Always check the pump flow curves for your application or you can call to speak to one of our technical team if you want to be sure the pumps will do the task at hand.

If you are concerned about the risk of blockages but also need a flow rate which macerator pumps can’t provide, or even if it’s purely just a faster flow rate you need, a larger 65mm or 80mm pump will be able to achieve this, calculating a specific flow rate to your application is difficult and would be best speaking to a member of our technical team to help specify the right pumps for your station.

Waste pumps and your wastewater system in general need regular servicing to keep it in working order. A general desludging of your system and a check of the components such as the sewage pump will keep the sewage treatment system in good working order for longer.

Generally, a good rule of thumb for servicing your sewage pump would be every 1 to 2 years or every time you empty your septic tank. It is a good idea to get it checked regularly to avoid a costly replacement further down the line.

When you consider all the pumping that occurs globally, whether in large industrial plants or in domestic heating systems, this accounts for almost 20% of the world's energy consumption. Because of this there is a huge opportunity in the pumping industry to make a significant contribution to using our energy resources efficiently. In pumping applications where the duty required is not constant, it is highly likely that installing a variable speed pump will result in significant energy savings - likely to be between 30% and 50% in many applications.

Other benefits of variable speed pumps include:

1. Improved reliability

Because variable speed pumps run at speeds below their maximum, there is a reduction in wear, particularly in mechanical seals.

2. Improved control

Variable speed pump controller can monitor small variations in pressure and make adjustments accordingly. This also means there is less liklihood of sudden changes in flow or pressure.

Variable speed pumps should be used in any installation where the pump duty is not constant. If a pump duty is constant a fixed speed pump may be the most cost-effective option.  However, even in fixed duty applications there may be an advantage to running a pump below its maximum speed. A motor running at 80% of its maximum speed uses 48% less energy.

1. Vibrations

Although running pumps below their maximum speed will tend to reduce overall system noise, altering the speed of a pump may result in structural resonances that would not occur at the pump's maximum speed. This may cause vibration which can be harmful to equipment and cause an increase in noise at certain frequencies. There are a number of products that help to alleviate these potential issues.

2. Higher initial cost

Because of the added complexity of an inverter drive, variable speed pumps and systems which include variable speed pumps will cost more initially than a fixed speed equivalent. However, this additional cost is invariably outweighed by the long-term energy cost saving.

This depends on your existing pump and the type of installation you have or are planning on. The vertical Hippo 50 has a vertical port discharges via a 2” female port and the horizontal Hippo 50 discharges via a horizontal 2” female port but is also DN50 flanged

Vortex impeller sewage pumps use centrifugal action. In this sewage pump. the impeller rotates and causes a tornado-like action that pulls the waste into the pump and then sends it into the discharge pipe with little or no contact with the impeller which helps the pump to withstand any stringy material it may encounter. This means there is a much lower chance of clogging the impeller. 

To see our range of sewage pumps click - https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/waste-water-tanks/waste-water-pumps/sewage-pumps/c1039

A grinder pump takes the wastewater from the holding tank, grinding any waste into a fine slurry and then pumps it into a sewage treatment plant. They can pump over much longer distances but at a slower rate because they are high pressure and low volume pumps.

To see our grinder pumps click - https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/semisom-125-gr-automatic-submersible-grinder-pump/p5628

 A submersible pump means that the pump needs to be submerged or covered in liquid specifically the type specified on the pump such as water, wastewater, sewage etc.

Macerator pumps are used only for heads higher than 10m and with a low flow rate when you have a discharge rate restriction imposed by the water authority who own the sewer you discharging into.

If a booster or compact set is being housed externally, you will need an enclosure to protect the inverter from the elements so anything electronic needs to be protected by an enclosure of some sort, never leave the booster set to face the elements

You require at least 500mm above the break tank so you can service it and inspect it when required. Also, a booster just needs to be installed in a maintainable space so that the inverters can be reviewed if needed via clear walkways and facing into the room, not tucked away down the side of a plant room.

A bund is a container which can hold liquids that prevent leaks and spillage from tanks and pipes.

The regulations state that a bund must hold 110% of the amount of liquid in your tank. If you choose to have an external bund rather than a bunded tank, the important thing is to size it correctly for the tank contained in the bund to hold 110% liquid and then keep it covered so that rainwater does not fill the bund.

When multiple tanks share a bund, the capacity is based on the largest tank.

We offer a wide range of tanks suitable for boats. Whether its for drinking water, waste water or where space is an issue, flexible water tanks. Our boat storage tanks and containers, are made from a high quality, durable polyethylene and are an ideal storage solution for use on boats. Available in a variety of shapes and capacities, ranging from 40 litres to 300 litre.

We offer a small range of tanks which are suitable for keeping fish in, however some of our fish tanks are designed as fish holding tanks for short periods of time. 

If you require more guidance on which tanks might be suitable, please give our Sales team a ring.

We would be happy to send you the relevant information regarding the product you are interested. Please send us an email or call us with the information you require and we will endeavour to do our best to answer your questions or contact the manufacturer for the information.

All our products come with a manufacturers warranty. To see how long the warranty is for a certain product, please go to the product data sheet or contact us for more information.

If a warranty claim is required, please let us know the order number, images and descriptions of the fault, where we would be happy to forward this onto the manufacturer for you.

As we are an online business, we do not have a store to be able to view the products. You can however view most items before you buy, not all products are available in just one location so please contact us to find out where you can view.

Alternatively, you can download the product brochures for each product for more information or contact us if the information you require is not visible.

Water tanks can be classified as ‘potable’ and ‘non potable’. If you are storing clean water for human consumption, whether it be for drinking, prepping food or cleaning dishes etc, then a potable water tank is what you are after. All potable tanks must conform to the WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) so that the liquid is safe for human consumption.

Non-potable tanks are for the safe storage of non-drinking water or for ‘not suitable’ for human consumption, in many different environments and applications. Non-potable tanks can be used in applications like rainwater harvesting, irrigation, agriculture & horticulture and commercial purposes where mains water is not available.

The difference in classification between the two comes from the materials used during the manufacturing process, specifically the type of plastic used to line the inside of the tank which comes into contact with the contained water. Non potable tanks are more porous, making it easier for the bacteria to grow and can sometimes let off gases which can contaminate the water. The WRAS approved material lines the inside of the tank, making the tank fit for human consumption, either ingested or used on the skin.

Plastic water tanks can be made of lots of different materials, however the majority of tanks we offer are made from either a medium density polyethylene (MDPE) or a high density polyethylene.

The majority of our water tanks come with an outlet as standard. We can offer a range of water tanks where the tanks can either ‘Drilled’ or ‘Undrilled’. ‘Drilled’ meaning allowing water to escape from the tank via the outlet, whereas ‘Undrilled’ is when the outlet will remain sealed, preventing liquid from coming out and ensuring the contents of the tank is only touching plastic.

If the position of the outlet is required in an alternative position to the standard one offered or extra to the one positioned, we can offer a plastic Fusion socket. This can be welded anywhere on the tank using a drawing supplied by us, positions marked out by you, then fitted by the manufacturer.   

Plain tanks (with no outlets) can also be offered.

If you require a plastic fusion socket or a plain tank, then please contact our Customer Service Team, who will be happy to help with your requirements.

We offer a range of tap kits, each displaying the size of the hosetail and the outlet size the kit will suit. Tap Kit 5 (TPK5) is the best solution if you require a garden hose to be fitted. Our range of Hosetail kits allows you to attach a hose or pipe to the tank, leak-free. They are designed for continuous flow and come in varying sizes depending on the outlet.

All our tap kits come with a Jubilee clip and PDFE tape for that secure fit.

UK hose pipe diameters range from ½” to ¾” inch diameters. The majority of standard size garden hoses are 3/4” BSP, however we do offer accessories for the ½” hose, if required.

Baffled water tanks are tanks with an intergral wall system, which is primarily designed to strengthen and support the structure of the tank, when the tank is full of water.

Due to the structure of the baffles they can also be used for transporting water. The Baffles distrupt the movement of water, from surging from one side to the other. However, if you are transporting water, water tanks can be extremely hazardous when transporting large volumes of water. Please make sure the water tanks are installed and secured correctly, by a suitable qualified person before transportation. Baffled water tanks are an ideal solutions for car valeters, window cleaners or anyone who has to transport liquids using plastic water storage tanks and containers.

A flat well-drained location is the ideal choice of a site that should be free from rocks, stones, tree stumps or any other sharp objects that may chafe or puncture the tank. On rough or stony ground sharp objects should be removed and ideally a layer of sand laid to provide a base. Maximum care must be taken to avoid placing tanks on ground having a cross slope as the tank is liable to “roll away” when being filled.

Not always, if the ground is free from debris and sharps then you can use these tanks without a ground sheet however, we do recommend using a ground sheet to prolong the life of the bladder tank

This can be done from the water mains or through a pump with the relevant connector fitted to attach to the bladder tank. This must start slowly (up to max 490 litres per minute) then increased to a maximum of 1,000 litres per minute dependent on tank capacity

This can be done by gravity or pumped, the tank may have to be lifted slightly to empty any remaining liquid

Our bladder tanks are quite easy to maintain. The surface should kept be clean of debris and washed down occasionally. The inside can be cleaned through a small hatch using a hose pipe then drained away

Small cuts and abrasions can be repaired using our repair kit. Larger cuts/splits may have to be repaired at our factory (for a fee)

PVC bladder tanks can store most liquids except fuels and certain acids, this requires a special material so please inquire. We can manufacture a bladder tank to store pretty much any liquid but please check with us regarding your specific application

To safely fill an IBC first make sure that the pallet, cage and bottle and valve are suitable for use with the intended product. Ensure that the valve is securely tighten to the inner bottle and that the valve is closed and that the drip cap is secured and tightened. Check that the inside of the bottle is clean. When hot  filling product  do not  exceed 65°C. When bottom  filling make sure that  the vents are functioning correctly or open the top cap.  Do not over fill the IBC.  After filling, if the product has a UN number, ensure that the lid seal is correctly  positioned and tighten the screw cap to 70-80 Newton/Meters.

Do not lift IBCs from the top frame. Ensure that the fork truck tines are fully inserted under the IBC before lifting. Ensure that the vehicle floor is in good condition and free of all nails etc. that could puncture the IBC. Always transport IBCs with the correct labelling attached to the ID Plate.

Always secure IBCs to prevent possible movement during transit.

If you would like to attach a garden hose to your IBC- HFUD/2063 would be the adaptor required. Warm the hose to help in pushing the hose onto the adaptors barb, if possible raise the IBC (on wooden pallets) to assist with gravity flow

However if a 2 inch male BSP is required then the  016136 + 1069497 would be recommended. For those who wish to attach other items to the IBC valve, this adaptor turns the valve’s buttress thread into a female 2 inch BSP fitting more common here in the UK

If a 1 inch Male BSP is what you are after then the  31PB24 is the right choice, however if you require a 1” female BSP then 31PN15C is he right adaptor.

If you wish to fit a 1” Male or 1” Female BSP (as mentioned above) - 31PB24 or 31PN15C to an IBC then a 016136 & 1069497 is required.

Yes, depending on the pallet type, our IBCs can be stacked as follows whether empty or full:

MX IBCs - with metal or plastic pallets - Up to 4 High (with a maximum SG of 1.6)

SX IBCs - with metal pallets - Up to 4 High (with a maximum SG of 1.6)

LX IBCs - with wooden or plastic pallets - Up to 3 High (with a maximum SG of 1.4)

If the position of the outlet is required in an alternative position to the standard one offered or extra to the one positioned, we can offer a plastic Fusion socket. This is a plastic outlet which can be welded anywhere on the tank using a drawing supplied by us, positions marked out by you, then fitted by the manufacturer.   

Plain tanks (with no outlets) can also be offered.

If you require a plastic fusion socket or a plain tank, then please contact our Customer Service Team, who will be happy to help with your requirements.

If you do not have sufficient area required to discharge the run out from a septic tank, you would need a cesspool which requires emptying on a 40 day cycle. Please contact us for help if required.

You would only need to upgrade your septic tank if the run off discharges to a water course.

Standard soak aways are still legal.

Yes we offer the full range of Klargester replacement parts, please see our waste water parts section for more: /parts-accessories/waste-water-accessories/c946

There are 3 options available:

(1) Connect to a main sewer if possible
(2) install a drainage field or
(3) install a sewage treatment plant which treats the wastewater, producing a clear overflow that is environmentally friendly and suitable for discharging.

To see our full range of sewage treatment plants click - https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/waste-water-tanks/sewage-treatment-system/c1005

If your septic tank system is not in good working order it can be a serious risk to both health and the environment. You also have a legal responsibility to maintain your septic tank system. In looking after your septic tank system, it will have to be emptied less frequently, saving you money. A septic tank system can also be costly to replace if it fails.

If your septic tank system is in good working order you should have the following:

• Your household drainage should be quick to clear, and toilets should not be backing up
• There should be no smell from your tank and the cover should be accessible and well fitting
• The soak away should be dry not swampy, smelly or have prolific grass growth
• A pale liquid with little or no smell should come from the discharge pipe. It should not be dark, smelly or contain solids
• Makes sure to keep deep-rooted trees and plants at least 30 m away from your system. Keep the grass nearby short.

If any of the above is showing signs that your septic tank system is not in proper working order, you must get it repaired or replaced by a credited installer.

Your tank should be emptied once a year so that you do not risk a build up of sludge which can lead to problems with your system. The company you use to empty your septic tank must be registered to do so.

Different areas of Great Britain have different requirements: -

• England – No charge
• Northern Ireland – Yes, a charge applies
• Scotland – Yes, a charge applies
• Wales – Yes, no charge applies in most cases

If you own a property which you rent, or you are a tenant yourself, it can become a little less clear who has the responsibility to empty the septic tank. Maintenance and responsibility can be written into the tenancy agreement. If you are a landlord renting out a property with a septic tank you may need to put measures in place if you want the tenant to take responsibility for the septic tank. You may need an inspection or service after the end of any tenancy period. As a tenant, if it is written into the tenancy agreement that you have responsibility for the septic tank, you might also want to insist upon an inspection to ensure you aren’t inheriting any issues you would then be liable to pay for is one way to do this. Checking the schedule of maintenance and the obligations is another before any serious issues can occur. Following the guidelines of the septic tank is important too.

You should have your septic tank system regularly maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If these are not available, ask your local maintenance company for advice. This will save costly repairs or replacement of the sewage system in the long term.

If your tank does not comply with the “General Binding Rules” you must apply for a permit. To see the General Binding Rules go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-a-surface-water

Septic tanks should be at least 7 metres away from any dwelling. They should also be located within 30 metres of an access point so that the tank can be emptied.

• Don’t flush anything other than bodily waste and toilet paper down the toilet
• Don’t dispose of grease or oil down any drain – wipe out pans and pour fat into a container to be disposed of in the bin
• Don’t put paints, solvents or chemicals down the drain
• Don’t try to unblock pipes with caustic soda or drain cleaners. Try boiling water instead
• Don’t connect rainwater pipes to your septic tank

If your current system discharges directly into a water course, you will need to upgrade your system. To go through your options give us a call, and we can talk you through the various options.

Find out more about our sewage treatment systems here

It is the level of the soil pipe entering the septic tank or treatment system.

If the flow from your system can not release without help, i.e. required to be uplifted you would need a pump to help with this.

The size of the pump required is down to the rise to main from the tank to the sewer, please call us for further help on this.

If you have high levels of fats and grease you should use a grease trap. This would be fitted before discharging to the sewer.

Tanks are sized on the number of people using the system, you should allow 150 litres per person multiplied by the number of people using the property to calculate your 24hr storage capacity.

For commercial properties please contact us, and we can help size this for you. 

No the tanks are supplied without an inlet hole, this is usually drilled on site however we do supply the seal to make the hole water tight and should you require us to drill this for you at the factory, we can offer this also.

Sewage pumps are available in a few different options including effluent pumps, grinder pumps or macerator pumps and submersible pumps. Effluent pumps remove the grey wastewater that stays in your septic tank after the solids have settled and are good for residential and small commercial applications.

Grinder pumps or macerator pumps collect wastewater from your household appliances and fixtures including toilets, washing machines, and bathtubs. Grinder or macerator pumps works by the pump grinding the waste into a fine slurry before pumping it to your septic tank when the water in the tank reaches a certain level from a holding tank to collect waste. Submersible pumps are used for residential, commercial, and agricultural applications.

If you are unsure of the type of sewage pump you need, we are more than willing to help. Please give us a call or send us an email.

A sewage pump station is a storage chamber incorporating a sewage pump which transfer either the foul or surface water to a local drain, manhole, sewer or soakaway pit.

A pumping station is used where a normal gravity system cannot be, either because there is insufficient fall over a distance, or the common collecting point is lower than the discharge point.

To see our full range of pumping stations click - https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/waste-water-tanks/sewage-pump-stations/c1011

A sewage pump is a submerged pump that moves sewage solids from one point to another, usually from a septic tank or sewage treatment plant to a percolation area or soakaway pit which is a distance away of uphill. Alternatively, it can be used to pump into a gravity flow sewer mains.

Effluent pumps are generally more efficient than other sewage pumps as they are only pumping grey water. However, the effluent pumps may not be suitable for your use. The most efficient sewage would be the one that is most suited to your application and system size. If you are unsure of the type of sewage pump you need, we are more than willing to help. Please give us a call or send us an email.

Your sewage pump should not run constantly. Usually it should run from 10 to 15 seconds until the float switch detects the water level has dropped adequately. It will then cut off. If your sewage pump is running constantly it may need to be serviced, repaired or replaced. The average life expectancy of a sewage pump is about 10 years.

To see our full range of sewage pumps click - https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/water-tanks/pumps/sewage-and-waste-water-pumps/c1049

In our 2” vortex range we use Hippo 50 pumps for up to 6m head and Hippo 100 pumps for up to 10m head. In our 2” macerator range we use Semison 125GR pumps, in our 2½” vortex range we use Semison 650 pumps and lastly in our 3” vortex range we use hippo 80-200. Details of which can be found either on our website or a copy can be sent across please call for more information.

You may need to service or replace your sewage pump is you find the following: -

• If the water at the discharge point is dirty or brown
• The pump is not working at all or sounds like it’s struggling to pump
• Your pump is constantly running and doesn’t switch off even though no one is using the facilities in the building
• Sewage is backed up into the building
• There is a smell of sewage
• There is no fluid emptying from the holding tank
• There is no power to the pump

If you do require a Service, please give a ring to arrange.

Yes, it is cost effective to get your sewage pump regularly maintained to lengthen the life of the pump. Typically pump servicing will include: -

• Cleaning out the sump chamber
• Cleaning of pumps and float switch
• Electrical test of pumps and all floats
• Checking all cables for damages and general wear

A Bunded Oil Tank is simply a tank within a tank. The fuel is stored in the inner tank and the outer tank acts as a failsafe so that in the event of a spillage, excess fuel will collect in the bund. They are a requirement at commercial, industrial and institutional premises.

Unfortunately not. The pumps and ancillary equipment fitted to these tanks are suitable only for use with Diesel or Biodiesel, as per product specifications. Dispensing a non-approved fuel from this equipment could result in serious injury or death.

Diesel (D) to British Standard BS2869. Additionally, all Fuel Stations, are also suitable for the storage and dispensing of BioDiesel with a bio-element of up to 8% concentration.