A vacuum tanker is a road-going vehicle with a large tank, a high-power vacuum pump and a suction hose used to remove liquid waste, silt and debris from drainage systems, gullies and septic tanks. Capacities range from 2,000 litres on small chassis up to 18,000 litres on multi-axle units, with vacuum levels of 80 to 90 kPa. Tankers are used in residential service for septic tank emptying and in commercial work for gully cleaning, wet well desludging and bulk silt removal. Operators must hold the appropriate HGV licence and the company must be registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency. Disposal of removed material at a permitted treatment works is documented by waste transfer notes retained for at least two years.
Vacuum tanker (high suction)
Tanker vehicle that uses high suction to remove liquid and silt from drains.
