Septic tank emptying round

Rural homeowners, farms, holiday lets, pubs, campsites and small rural businesses without mains drainage.

Fixed price per empty based on tank size and distance, plus extra for emergency call-outs, blocked tanks and optional inspections. Annual reminders keep customers coming back.

• Confident driving a heavy vehicle
• Reliable and happy with unpleasant work
• Good record keeping
• Friendly customer service

• Waste carrier registration and waste transfer paperwork, check the rules for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• You usually need agreed access to a suitable disposal site, such as a sewage treatment works, and they may charge you
• Public liability and vehicle insurance suitable for a tanker, plus employer's liability if you hire a driver
• Tanker purchase and upkeep is expensive, and a breakdown stops your income
• Health risks from waste and confined spaces, so get proper training and protective kit

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £12,000 to £50,000, depending mainly on the tanker you buy and how it is equipped. Tanker purchase and upkeep is expensive, and a breakdown stops your income, so plan for repairs.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on how many customers you build up and how far you travel. Many customers need emptying about once a year, so a repeat round can develop over time.

Check waste carrier registration and waste transfer paperwork, as rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also check access to a suitable disposal site, which may charge you, plus insurance suited to a tanker and training for health risks.