Universal Tankers

Universal Tankers: nationwide liquid waste and water delivery from North Yorkshire

Universal Tankers is a family business based in North Yorkshire that has operated for more than 30 years, according to its own account. It describes itself as a provider of liquid waste management and water delivery services with nationwide coverage across England, Scotland and parts of Wales, supported by a fleet of tankers and a network of depots. The company states that it serves domestic, commercial and industrial customers, handling both planned and emergency requirements.

The operation is organised around two complementary sides: removing wastewater and supplying water. On the waste side, the company empties septic tanks and cesspits, services sewage treatment plants and pump stations, and collects commercial wastewater, grease trap waste, leachate and liquid food waste. On the supply side, it delivers drinking water and non-potable water, including emergency water supply and bulk deliveries for sites and events.

Wastewater and liquid waste services

The service list published by the company covers several distinct waste streams. For households and businesses that rely on private drainage, Universal Tankers carries out septic tank and sewage treatment facility emptying. For commercial and industrial clients, it specialises in the disposal of non-hazardous waste such as sewage and effluent, fat and grease waste, sludge, and food processing waste. Grease trap emptying, leachate collection and liquid food waste collection complete the liquid waste offer.

The company also provides vacuum tanker services and welfare unit servicing across the UK. Welfare servicing includes refilling and emptying welfare facilities, with the company stating that it can be on site the next day. Alongside these services, it supplies wastewater equipment such as waste holding tanks, water bowsers and on-demand pumps, with services tailored to specific requirements.

Water delivery for homes, sites and emergencies

Universal Tankers delivers both drinking water and non-potable water. The drinking water service is aimed at domestic customers, temporary accommodation and emergency situations, as well as commercial clients that need a consistent supply for construction sites, events and welfare units. The company also offers emergency water supply and bulk water delivery, and frames these services as support for planned site requirements as well as urgent supply disruption.

Sectors served

The company groups its activity around a set of sectors with dedicated service pages. These include brewery and distillery services, industrial wastewater, construction wastewater, maritime, event wastewater management and hotel wastewater solutions, in addition to domestic and commercial waste disposal. It states that it works across construction, industrial sites, hospitality, events and maritime, and that its services are delivered in line with relevant environmental, waste disposal and water-quality regulations.

Coverage and depots

Universal Tankers reports 19 depots across England and Scotland, while other parts of its site refer to 20 depots nationwide. In Scotland, it names depots in Perth, Nairn, Aberdeen and Coatbridge, and states that it services septic tanks, sewage treatment plants and pump stations there. The company presents a next-day service as part of its standard offer and mentions electronic proof of delivery.

Accreditations and company profile

The company states that it is a FORS member and is committed to promoting and implementing the national CLOCS Standard. It also describes itself as an Achilles qualified member and a Construction Line gold member. It presents itself as a family business with more than 30 years of operation, although its meta description refers to being trusted for over 20 years, a discrepancy in the figures published on its own site. The company also mentions charitable and fundraising activity in the communities where it operates.

Customer feedback displayed on the site at the time of writing included a 4.9-star rating based on 79 reviews attributed to Trustpilot.