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Why Interceptor Cleaning Is Critical for Your Forecourt / Commercial Premises
Interceptors protect your site and the environment by trapping oil, fuel, grease, and solids before they enter the drainage system, ensuring compliance.
20+ Years
Experience
Nationwide
Coverage
3 Hour
Emergency Response
Fully Licensed
& Insured
MCBREEN ENVIRONMENTAL
What Is an Interceptor / Oil Separator
Also known as fuel separators, oil-interceptor tanks, filter pits, and filter traps.
Located in lorry depots, forecourts, car parks, car washes, factories, airports, schools, etc.
Interceptors collect runoff, oil, sediment, etc., letting only cleaner water exit via the drainage outlet.
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How Often to Clean / Service
Standard recommendation: every 6 months for typical installations.
More frequent cleaning may be required if the interceptor is handling a heavy pollutant load, high vehicle throughput, frequent rainfall, or visible signs of overflow or slow drainage.
Compliance with planning / Local Authorities, Uisce Éireann, EPA, IED and forecourt licensing regulations often specifies maintenance schedules.
Regulations & Compliance
Service forecourt interceptors often fall under the Dangerous Substances (Flammable Liquids & Fuel Retail Stores) Regulations 2019 (SI 630/2019 & SI 631/2019) in Ireland.
EPA requires that waste removed be disposed of via licensed facilities.
Maintain service records, disposal certificates, and sand ite logbooks to demonstrate compliance.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Our Commercial Services
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How We Clean & Empty Interceptors
Pre-service site assessment to understand size, pollutant type, and accessibility.
Use of Jet Vac/vacuum tanker units with specialist suction to remove sludge, oils, and solids.
High-pressure jetting/surface jetting of inlet channels, pipelines and chamber walls.
Removal of separated pollutants and solids; safe transport to licensed disposal/oil recovery facilities.
Where necessary, cleaning of internal pipework, filters, baffles, and inspection of components.
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IRELAND NATIONWIDE SERVICES
Sectors We Serve
Forecourts / Petrol Stations
Car washes & Vehicle Depots
Factories & Industrial Yards
Retail parks & Supermarkets
Airports & Transport Hubs
Local Authorities & Airports
Distribution Yards
Garages
Hospital, car parks
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when my interceptor needs cleaning?
Look for signs like slow draining runoff, oil sheen in water outlets, strong odours, visible build-up of solids or oil in the chamber, or when it reaches ~25% of its holding capacity.
What frequency of cleaning is required by law?
Check your license for requirements. It can be as much as 4 times a year with FOG or once a year.
Will cleaning require downtime for my operations?
Minimal downtime. We aim to carry out the service with as little disruption as possible. Access requirements and site prep can reduce downtime further.
How is waste removed and disposed of?
Waste is collected using high-volume vacs or artic tankers and then transported to licensed waste or oil-recovery facilities. You will receive a certified waste disposal certificate for your records.
What cost factors should I expect?
Influenced by interceptor size, pollutant load (oil/solids), accessibility, travel, frequency of cleaning, and volume of waste removed.