TANKERING SERVICES

Question 1

What is an interceptor?

Answer

An Interceptor is a tank installed within pipework. Its purpose is to collect and hold different contaminants, such as grime, dirt, oil, silt, petrol, and brake dust from surface water. This allows the leftover wastewater to be discharged safely into the main sewerage system. Interceptors can have either two or three different chamber tanks to allow filtration to happen. They are also known as interceptor traps, interceptor tanks, filter tanks and separators.

Question 2

Why do I need to have my interceptor serviced?

Answer

The interceptors/tanks should be well maintained to prevent pollution incidents that could damage the environment and result in heavy legal penalties from the Environment Agency for asset owners.

Question 3

How can I prevent flooding by having my interceptor serviced?

Answer

Regular maintenance of interceptors and drainage systems eliminates the excessive build-up of contaminants, silt and debris to reduce the risk of flooding. It is your responsibility to minimise the risk that the interceptor floods or leaks contaminated water into the main sewerage systems, harming the environment or people.

Question 4

Are there any regulations I need to comply with if I have an interceptor?

Answer

While there are no specified legal requirements to comply with regarding interceptors, businesses do have environmental obligations that they must follow. For example, all businesses must prevent pollution from happening under the Water Resources Act 1991. This states your business or organisation must not allow your business to cause or allow pollution.

Question 5

My vehicle washdown area is flooding what could be causing that?

Answer

If your vehicle washdown area is flooding, it’s likely that there’s a problem with your drainage system. Over time, drainage systems can become blocked by contaminants such as grime, dirt, oil, and petrol. This can cause both flooding and pollution risks so it’s essential that your drainage systems are maintained and serviced regularly.

Question 6

How often do interceptors need servicing?

Answer

The amount your interceptors are serviced depends on the activity and number of vehicles that are on your site. It’s recommended that interceptors are cleaned every three to six months. However, if the site is busier or carrying out more activity, interceptor maintenance may need to be done every week.

Question 7

Do fallen leaves cause my interceptor problems?

Answer

Yes. Drainage systems can easily become blocked by fallen leaves if they are not maintained regularly. If this happens, your premises can become vulnerable to flooding as rainwater will have nowhere to drain into.

Question 8

Is there a best time of year to have my interceptor emptied?

Answer

Your drainage systems should be cleaned regularly all year round. However, depending on how busy your site is, you might need more frequent maintenance. Extra cleaning and maintenance is also highly recommended after heavy spells of rain or a period of time where more waste is generated on your site. The end of Autumn is also recommended to help prepare for the winter months.

Question 9

How much can I save by having my interceptor serviced regularly?

Answer

The more contaminants in your drain, the more expensive it will be to remove and dispose of them. Keeping your drainage systems regularly maintained can help to make sure you aren’t paying too much each time they’re cleaned. Regular maintenance also keeps you compliant with environmental laws, helping you avoid hefty fines from the Environment Agency.

Question 10

What are gully pots and ACO drains?

Answer

Gully pots are drainage fittings usually found in car parks and on the side of roads. These drains catch surface water to prevent flooding. ACO drainage drains surface water from hard surfaces, such as tarmac or paving. These use a long and narrow drain, usually covered by a grating which drains the water.

Question 11

Do I need to have my ACO drains serviced or cleaned?

Answer

Absolutely! Because of their open design and placement on roads, ACO drains can easily become blocked with soil, silt, leaves, and other debris. If your ACO drains are not regularly serviced, their effectiveness will be reduced overtime, putting the area more at risk of flooding.

Question 12

What is the benefit of having my drains CCTV inspected?

Answer

If your site’s drains are becoming repeatedly blocked, CCTV drain inspection may be the best option for your business. A remote control camera is fed into the piping network so a drain expert can identify the causes of any blockages or bad odours quickly and effectively.

TANKERING SERVICES

Liquid waste disposal

Tankering and liquid waste solutions.

Contact our team today!

Looking for vacuum tankering, liquid waste disposal or septic tank emptying?Contact our team today!

Useful Links

Waste Management

Collections

Why Flame UK?

Secure waste, always

The right standards

Right for the environment

Frequently Asked Questions