Septic Tank Emptying
Regular emptying of domestic and commercial septic tanks across Cornwall. Whoever does it must be a registered waste carrier. Most standard tanks take under an hour.
From £150New septic tank, treatment plant, or replacing a failed system? Here's what installation involves in Cornwall, what it typically costs, and what the General Binding Rules 2020 require.
Installing a new septic tank in Cornwall isn't a small job. Whether you're replacing an old failed system, fitting one to a new build, or converting an existing cesspit to a septic tank with drainage field, the work needs to comply with the General Binding Rules 2020 and pass building regulations.
A typical installation includes:
Costs vary widely depending on access, ground conditions, tank size, and whether you need a basic septic tank (from £3,000) or a sewage treatment plant (£5,000–£15,000+). Get a Cornwall-based installer to survey the site and quote properly — not a rough guess from a desk.
We’re an independent guide, not a septic tank company. These are the honest options; pick whichever suits you.
Anyone who takes septic tank waste away must be a registered waste carrier. Whichever local firm you find, look it up on the Environment Agency’s public register before you book.
Ask for the firm’s waste carrier registration and check it, get a written price that says what’s included (disposal, hose length, access), and ask for a waste transfer note once the job is done.
Leave your details and we’ll try to introduce you to one local septic tank firm covering your postcode. We’re still looking for local firms to work with, so we may not have one for your area yet. We’ll tell you who before sharing anything, and septic tank firms may pay us for introductions.
Whatever else is going on below ground at your Cornwall property, here’s what each job involves and what it typically costs. Or stick with septic tank installation — your call.
Regular emptying of domestic and commercial septic tanks across Cornwall. Whoever does it must be a registered waste carrier. Most standard tanks take under an hour.
From £150Full cesspit pump-outs for sealed systems. Cesspits need emptying far more often than septic tanks, so the running cost adds up.
From £120New septic tank or treatment plant installation, fully compliant with the General Binding Rules 2020. Survey, install, commission: what a full job includes.
From £3,000Tank backing up, soakaway saturated, weird smells in the garden? Diagnosis via CCTV, then repair or replace: how to decide.
From £150 (survey)Blocked or slow-running drains cleared fast using high-pressure jetting. From kitchen sinks to main sewer lines.
From £80Camera inspections to diagnose blockages, root ingress, collapsed pipes, and drainage issues before they become expensive problems. A written report should be part of it.
From £150Prices depend on tank size, access, and your exact location. These are guides, not quotes: always get a written price before work starts.
Standard domestic tank (up to 2,700L). Price varies by access and distance.
Sealed cesspit pump-out. Larger cesspits (10,000L+) quoted individually.
High-pressure jetting. Most domestic blockages cleared in under an hour.
Out-of-hours and weekend work, where a firm has capacity. Ask for the price before they set off.
Find your nearest town guide for local access issues, typical prices and what to expect.
Everything you need to know about septic tank installation in Cornwall.
Basic septic tank installation in Cornwall typically starts from £3,000, including the tank, excavation, and basic soakaway. Sewage treatment plants (cleaner discharge, often required near watercourses) range from £5,000 to £15,000+. Cost varies widely with access, ground conditions, and existing site setup — a site survey is the only way to get an accurate quote.
Usually not — septic tanks fall under building regulations, not planning permission. However, you do need to comply with the General Binding Rules 2020 (DEFRA / Environment Agency). If your system discharges to a watercourse rather than a drainage field, you'll need an Environment Agency permit too.
Tank size is calculated using BS 6297 based on household occupancy. A typical 4-person home needs 2,700 litres minimum. Larger households or holiday lets need bigger tanks. Your installer will calculate exact sizing from the property layout and expected loading.
Not always. You need enough land for a properly-sized soakaway / drainage field, suitable soil percolation, and minimum distances from buildings, boundaries, and water sources (typically 10m from any habitable building, 50m from a borehole, 10m from a watercourse). A site survey and percolation test confirms feasibility before any work starts.
Most domestic septic tank installations take 2–5 working days, depending on access and groundwork. Treatment plant installs may take a bit longer. Ask how soon a firm can do the survey.