IMPORTANT NEWS -
A consultation is currently being carried out by Ofwat for the new charging rules for new connections and new developments for English companies from April 2020. For more information regarding this consultation, please refer to the following website:
Adoption of new sewers or pumping stations
We promote the use of a Section 104 agreement (Water Industry Act 1991) for the adoption of sewers and waste water pumping stations that are to be built as part of a new development. Sewers and pumping stations must be built in accordance with the current publication of Sewers for Adoption (SFA)*. As part of this application, you’ll also need to apply for a Sewer Connection (under Section 106 of the Water Industry Act 1991), if you wish to communicate to our existing asset - please click here for more information.
If you have already constructed your sewers and they are receiving flows, adoption can be carried out under Section 102 of the Water Industry Act: adoption of existing sewers - please click here for more information.
To enable a successful installation of the sewers, we are keen to start inspections as soon as possible after construction commences. If we have not been in contact with to arrange a convenient site meeting to start the inspection process, please contact the Developer Services Sewer Adoption Team.
* (Currently 7th edition, although applications under 6th edition are still permissible, although 6th and 7th standards cannot be mixed).
Flowchart
Making an application – Forms and checklist
SFA 6 – information
WRC website for SFA 6th Edition
Sewers for Adoption 6th Edition - SWW addendums
Table of distances for building close to a public sewer
Sample S104 Agreement - SFA6
Certificate of Title (CoT) relating to sewerage adoption agreement
SFA 7 - information
WRC website for SFA 7th Edition
Sewers for Adoption- Small Development Version
Layout and access to sewers - Please refer to Section B3 within Sewers for Adoption 7th Edition
Sample S104 Agreement - SFA7
Certificate of Title (CoT) relating to sewerage adoption agreement
Post construction guidance
S104 – post construction advice sheet
Section 104 adoption process – pumping station post technical approval
As Built requirements for sewer adoptions
Sample manhole record card
Manhole record card (MHRC)
Testing of tanks design to retain aqueous liquid
South West Water CCTV Specification
Our performance
Our minimum standard for delivery will be in accordance with the Water UK Levels of Service.
For further information on these standards and to see our performance please click here.
Redress
Although we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our SLP customers, on occasion we may fall short.
Metric |
Target Timescale (days) |
Form of Redress |
| Report on the number of written acknowledgements within target | 14 | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
| Technical vetting - number of applications responded to in the period | 28 (note S5.1 is including in this timescale) | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
| Technical vetting - number of applications responded to in the period extended by agreement | as agreed | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
| Legal agreements sent within period of target. | 14 | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
The redress scheme is a temporary arrangement, in line with the requirements of Ofwat's Code for Adoption Agreements. We are working with Water UK and all other companies to determine appropriate and consistent redress arrangements across the sector.
We will update our website on completion of this work.
Contacting the team
On receipt of your application, we will confirm the name of the Project Coordinator who will be looking after your project and their direct contact number and email address.
Should you have a general enquiry or wish to escalate an issue please contact:
Ben Harney
Assistant Project Manager
South West Water
Peninsula House
Rydon Lane
Exeter EX2 7HR
Should you wish to arrange a free call back or make a complaint please click here.
Design and Construction Guidance (formerly known as SfA8) - coming soon
Water UK has published a pre-implementation version of Design and Construction Guidance (formerly known as SfA8). This is expected to come into effect by April 2020 as part of the sector’s implementation of the Ofwat Code on Adoption Agreements. The ultimate power of approval for the document as part of the adoption code rests with Ofwat but when the new guidance does come into effect, it will be the only guide to the standards that sewers must meet if they are to be adoptable by water and sewer companies in England.
For the first time, guidance on adoptable SuDS has been provided.
Even if the final form of the guidance may change as part of the adoption code work, water and sewerage companies, planning authorities and developer are already considering charges to policies and procedures in order to implement the new manual. The advance publication is intended to allow sufficient time for those changes to be made.
Pre-implementation version - Design and Construction Guidance
We will be working with customers over this period of time to provide further updates.
Note: South West Water is currently unable to accept submissions under the Design and Construction Guidance
How can we help
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How can I contact you?
You'll find all of our contact information here, which includes our most frequently asked questions and our telephone numbers.
What is a cubic metre?
A cubic metre equals 1000 litres of water. If you’re on a meter, the variable charge from 1st April 2019 for 1 cubic metre is: For water - £1.8477 For sewerage including surface water drainage – £3.5832 For sewerage excluding surface water drainage - £3.1549
Can I build over a public sewer?
Yes, if your extension or proposed building work is over or within 3 metres of a public sewer or lateral drain, you’ll need to let us know. You’ll need to check our guidance notes to ensure you meet the criteria and if so, complete the Declaration of works form online...
What do I do if I have a blocked drain or sewer?
For blockages on a public sewer, please contact us on 0344 346 2020 so that we can confirm responsibility. We’re responsible for maintaining public sewers and we’ll attend within 4 hours to unblock the sewer, free of charge. If you are the homeowner, you are responsible...
Water connections
What do I need to do if I’m planning to build an extension or conservatory?
Our sewers run under ground in streets, gardens, fields and land, so if you're building an extension you will need to check if there is a sewer nearby. We can then make sure that your home and our pipes are protected during and after the build. You can find guidance on...
Does my pipework need to meet with any regulations?
Yes, pipework and plumbing must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. These are designed to stop contamination of water supplies by preventing back-flow, back-siphonage and interconnections of water from other sources.
Can I arrange to lay my own water mains and make service connection?
Yes, if you are or are employing an accredited self lay organisation, you can undertake this work. You can agree with us to lay your water mains and connections, however you will need to make an application to do so. You’ll find more details within our Self lay...
How much does a new water connection cost?
We’ll provide you with a quote which will be specific to your connection requirements after we’ve completed a site survey. The quote will be made up of: Connection costs (all work, materials required for us to make connection) Traffic management (depending on the...
Sewer connections
How do I apply for a new sewer connection?
You can complete our sewer connection application form and return it to us by email, the guidance notes contain more information. You’ll need to arrange for a drain to be laid from your property to our sewer. If you need help in locating the closest public sewer, you...
Can I build over a public sewer?
Yes, if your extension or proposed building work is over or within 3 metres of a public sewer or lateral drain, you’ll need to let us know. You’ll need to check our guidance notes to ensure you meet the criteria and if so, complete the Declaration of works form online...
Why do I need permission to build over or close to a public sewer?
We need to approve your proposal of works (even if you have already had planning permission granted) as your building could cause damage or prevent access to the sewer. Some conservatories and minor works don’t always need planning and/or building regulation approval,...
What if my extension was built over a private sewer before 1 October 2011?
If the property was built before the transfer of private sewers to us on 1 October 2011, the works are legal as there would have been no need for approval before this date. There's more information here on building over a public sewer after this date.
Commercial services
What does a CON29DW drainage and water search contain?
The Conveyancing 29 Drainage and Water (Con29DW) is designed to identify any liability that you may incur as an owner and uncover problems that may impact on the property value and lead to expensive maintenance bills. The search contains: An analysis of the risk of...
What public health and environment services do you provide?
Our Laboratory analyses environmental and recreational samples to support businesses in meeting regulatory and public health requirements.
What kind of laboratory tests and services do you carry out?
Our laboratory carries out a wide range of chemical and microbiological tests. We analyse environmental and recreational samples to support business’ meet their regulatory and public health requirements. If you’d like to make an analytical enquiry you can use our online...
Can you test our trade effluent?
Yes. Our laboratory offers an independent analytical service for trade effluents. If you’d like to make an analytical enquiry you can use our online form