The Universal Tankers Blog

Latest News Views and Insights

Welcome to the Universal Tankers Blog, your hub for news, insights, and industry updates. Whether you're an industry pro or just curious, our blog provides valuable perspectives, expert commentary, and allows you to stay up to date with all things Universal.

Water on the floor of construction site
Oct 14, 2025

Construction Waste Statistics UK

Construction sites generate various liquid waste, including silt and water runoff from groundworks and rainfall, as well as blackwater produced through welfare facilities used by workers. Effective management of these outputs is a legal requirement, with companies in the sector expected to handle, transport, and dispose of waste in line with all regulations. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, substantial fines, and reputational damage.

people enjoying a festival
Oct 9, 2025

Festival Water Supply Requirements

The UK’s summer festival season is well underway, and providing a safe, consistent and compliant supply of drinking water is one of the most critical responsibilities for event organisers. Whether you're hosting a large-scale music festival, a food and drink fair or a community celebration, access to clean, potable water is a legal requirement and a public health necessity.

wastewater on construction site
Oct 7, 2025

Common Wastewater Issues on Construction Sites and How to Solve Them

Construction sites generate wastewater from multiple sources, including welfare facilities, equipment and vehicle cleaning, and surface water run-off. Without effective control measures, this wastewater can carry silt, debris and other contaminants from works areas into local watercourses, which degrades soil quality, and harms surrounding habitats. 

Septic tank outside
Oct 4, 2025

Is Your Septic Tank Full of Water When it Rains?

Is your septic tank full of water when it rains, leading to problems such as flooding or unpleasant odours on site? This guide explains the common reasons septic tanks overflow, the steps that can be taken to resolve the issue, and the preventative measures that reduce the risk of it happening again. It also outlines the regulatory requirements around sewage contamination, highlighting why compliance is necessary to protect both the environment and public water sources.

overhead view of a wastewater plant
Sep 30, 2025

Wastewater Treatment in Rural Areas

Managing wastewater in rural areas requires a different approach from the systems used in towns and cities connected to mains sewer networks. In many rural locations, there is no access to centralised drainage infrastructure, meaning wastewater cannot simply be directed into established sewer mains for treatment. Instead, properties, agricultural sites, and remote construction projects must operate using decentralised systems designed to collect, treat, and dispose of waste on-site or prepare it for removal by licensed carriers.

septic tank overflowing
Sep 26, 2025

What to Do When a Septic Tank Overflow Occurs

If your septic tank is full, it may be creating overflow problems such as sewage backup, slow drains, damage to the septic tank and flooding of the drain field. These issues can lead to substantial costs for repairs, breaching health and safety regulations and environmental legislation such as the Water Industry Act 1991 and The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

Livestock driving water
Sep 24, 2025

Emergency Farming, Agriculture and Livestock Drinking Water

Water is the most important resource for agriculture and the maintenance of livestock such as dairy and beef cattle. Beyond the basics of crop irrigation and livestock hydration, a reliable supply of clean water may be needed to maintain hygiene standards in stables and studs, clean and sanitise equipment, power misting and cooling systems and carry out many other daily operations. So what happens when that supply is disrupted?

Jul 30, 2025

Waste Disposal in Construction: Compliance Tips

Businesses in the construction industry produce various hazardous waste materials as part of their daily operations. This waste generated includes wastewater, which must be handled and disposed of in line with UK regulations governing waste management.