Oily Water Disposal in West Sussex
Steel Drains provides professional oily water disposal services across West Sussex and surrounding areas. Whether from wash bays, fuel interceptors, garages or forecourts, we safely collect, transport, and dispose of contaminated water in full compliance with UK hazardous waste regulations.
What Is Oily Water and Why Must It Be Disposed of Properly?
Common Sources of Oily Water
Oily water is a mixture of water and hydrocarbons, commonly found in commercial and industrial settings. It typically originates from:
- Garage and vehicle maintenance bays
- Fuel station forecourts
- Car wash and jet wash bays
- Oil water interceptors
- Workshop and plant room drainage
- Industrial sites and machinery washdowns
These liquids often contain oil, grease, fuel residues, and other contaminants that pose an environmental risk if not handled correctly.
Free no obligation quote!
No job too big or small, simply fill in the form below and we’ll give you a call to discuss your requirements.
Environmental and Legal Risks
Oily water cannot be discharged into surface drains or watercourses. Doing so may lead to serious pollution, prosecution, and fines under UK environmental law. Businesses have a legal Duty of Care to ensure hazardous and non-hazardous waste is managed correctly, from the point of collection to final disposal.
Steel Drains helps you stay compliant by handling the process safely, efficiently, and in line with all relevant waste legislation.
Our Oily Water Disposal Service
Reliable, End-to-End Management from Collection to Compliance
We offer a complete oily water disposal service, tailored to the needs of commercial, industrial, and public sector sites. From on-site collection to fully licensed disposal, Steel Drains ensures your waste is handled safely, professionally, and in full accordance with UK environmental law.
Whether you require a scheduled pump-out service or one-off emergency removal, our experienced team and fleet of vacuum tankers are ready to help.

Waste Collection and Pump Out
We use high-capacity vacuum tankers to extract oily water from interceptors, bunds, tanks, and washdown areas. Our operatives are trained to manage both accessible and confined spaces, ensuring quick and safe removal with minimal disruption to your site.
We handle scheduled collections and one-off pump outs for commercial, industrial, and public sector clients.

Licensed Waste Transport
Steel Drains is a fully registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency. Once collected, all oily water is transported to authorised treatment or recycling facilities. Our operations are compliant with all Duty of Care and Hazardous Waste regulations.
You can trust us to manage the entire process legally and responsibly.

Consignment Notes and Documentation
We provide full documentation for every disposal job, including:
- Waste transfer notes
- Consignment notes for hazardous materials
- Volume records and waste classification
- Site-specific service logs and inspection notes (on request)
Our paperwork ensures your business remains audit-ready and legally compliant at all times.
Why Choose Steel Drains?
Professional, reliable, and fully compliant emergency Pollution and Flood Response services
Fast, Local Response in West Sussex
We operate throughout West Sussex and the surrounding areas, offering rapid callouts and flexible scheduling.
Whether it’s a routine pump-out or an urgent disposal job, our team is ready to respond when you need us most.
Fully Licensed & Environment Agency Registered
Steel Drains is a registered waste carrier and fully compliant with UK environmental legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act and Hazardous Waste Regulations. You can rely on us for safe handling, legal transport, and responsible disposal.
Trusted by Commercial, Industrial, and Public Sites
From petrol stations and car washes to local authorities and manufacturing sites, we support a wide range of businesses with professional oily water disposal services tailored to their operations.
How Often Should Oily Water Be Removed?
The frequency of oily water disposal depends on your site’s usage, the size of your interceptor or storage tank, and the nature of the waste being handled. For most commercial and industrial premises, removal is typically required every three to six months.
Sites with heavy vehicle traffic, high wash bay use, or frequent oil handling may need more regular pump-outs to avoid overflow, blockages, or environmental breaches.
We offer one-off collections and routine service plans to suit your operational needs, ensuring you stay ahead of problems and within environmental regulations.

Free no obligation quote!
No job too big or small, simply fill in the form below and we’ll give you a call to discuss your requirements.
Book Your Oily Water Disposal Today
If your site handles oil, fuel, or contaminated water, regular disposal is essential to stay compliant and avoid costly issues. Steel Drains provides safe, efficient oily water removal across West Sussex, backed by expert service and full documentation.
Whether you need a one-off collection or regular scheduled servicing, our team is ready to help. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation quote or to book a site visit at your convenience.
- 01903 259 487
- 07946 061 074
- office@steeldrains.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is oily water?
Oily water is a mixture of water and hydrocarbons, such as engine oil, diesel, or fuel residues. It’s commonly produced in garages, forecourts, wash bays, and industrial sites.
Is oily water classed as hazardous waste?
Yes, oily water is typically classified as hazardous waste under UK regulations. It must be collected, transported, and disposed of by a licensed waste carrier.
How often should oily water be removed?
Most commercial sites require oily water disposal every three to six months, though this may vary based on usage and system capacity.
Can you provide the correct documentation?
Yes. We provide full waste transfer notes or consignment notes for each job, ensuring full compliance with Duty of Care regulations.
Do you service oil separators and interceptors?
Yes. We provide complete pump-out and cleaning services for oil separators and interceptors at forecourts, workshops, and commercial premises.
Are you registered with the Environment Agency?
Yes. Steel Drains is a fully registered waste carrier and operates in line with all UK environmental laws and guidance.
What happens to the oily water after collection?
All collected oily water is taken to authorised treatment facilities for separation, treatment, or recycling depending on its classification.
Do you work with local authorities and large industrial clients?
Yes. We support local councils, facilities management companies, logistics hubs, and manufacturing sites with scheduled and emergency oily water disposal.
Is the service disruptive to business operations?
Our team works efficiently and can arrange collections outside peak business hours to minimise disruption.
What areas do you cover?
We operate across West Sussex and surrounding counties, providing both one-off collections and routine disposal services.