IMPORTANT NEWS -
As of Friday 25 October 2019, we received the go-ahead from Ofwat to implement the sector’s new approach to sewer adoption.
Please click her for more information on the Codes for Adoption.
Sewer requisition
If you have a new development site with no access to a public sewer because land owned by a 3rd party is in the way, we can lay a sewer(s) to serve your site.
We’ll agree land entry, easements and compensation for crossing the land.
Sewers can normally only be requisitioned for domestic purposes, either to serve a new development or as a 1st time service to existing properties. The requisitioned sewer would be built by us as a public sewer (serving more than one property) or as a lateral drain (serving only one property)
To requisition the sewer, the developer must have been granted full planning permission for the proposed development.
Pre Development Services
If you are planning to connect to our Waste Water network and you would like to understand the options which are available for the connection and an estimate of the likely cost of the connection before you make a formal application to us, we can provide you with a budget estimate.
Please click here for more information on Pre Development Services
Application form
You can apply for a new sewer to be installed by South West Water by downloading completing the Application Form.
Flowchart and charges
Information on our Developer Services Charging Arrangements can be found here.
Please view the Sewer Requisition Customer Flowchart for more information.
Our performance
Levels of Service
Our minimum standard for delivery will be in accordance with the Water UK Levels of Service.
|
Metric |
Target Timescale (days) |
|
Pre-development enquiry – reports issued |
21 |
Redress - Adoption of clean water assets
Although we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our SLP customers, on occasion we may fall short.
For further information on these standards and to see our performance please click here.
Metric |
Target Timescale (days) |
Form of Redress |
| Self-lay point of connection -written acknowledgements issued within a period of 5 days commencing on the day after receipt confirming either that the application is completed or if not , requesting the missing information. | 5 | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
| Self-lay Point of Connection reports <500 plots etc. - reports issued. Report to be issued within 21 days commencing on either (i) on the day after receipt of a full application or (ii) the day after the required information has been provided . An application is full when all the required information and any required payment have been received . A Pock enquiry includes any necessary modelling work. | 21 | Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £120 |
| Self-lay Point of connection reports >500 plots etc. - reports issued .Report to be issued within 28 days commencing on either (i) on the day after receipt of a full application or (ii) the day after the required information has been provided. An application is full when all the required information and any required payment have been received A PoC enquiry includes any necessary modelling work. | 28 | Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £120 |
| Self-lay design approval and terms request application - written acknowledgements . Issued within a period of 5 days commencing on the after receipt confirming either that the application is complete or if not ,requesting the missing information. | 5 | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
| Self-lay and terms requesting <500 plots etc. quotations. Written terms to be issued within a period of 14 days commencing on the day after receipt of as full application. An application is full when all the required information has been received. Terms include the design approval ,the amount of the asset payment and any amount to be paid by the SLP or Developer . A self-lay Adoption Agreement is to be issued with the terms. Rejections should fully document the reason for the rejection. | 14 | Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £180 |
| Self-lay and terms requesting >500 plots etc. quotations. written terms to be issued within a period of 14 days commencing on the day after receipt of a full application. An application is full when all the required information has been received. Terms include the design approval ,the amount of the asset payment and any amount to be paid by the SLP or Developer . A self-lay Adoption Agreement is to be issued with the terms. Rejections should fully document the reason for the rejection. | 28 | Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £180 |
| Self-lay signed agreement - acknowledgements. Issued within a period of days commencing on the day after receipt of the signed agreement | 5 | Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps |
| Self-lay water for pressure/bacteriological testing - provided. Provide a source of supply for pressure and bacteriological testing within (i) 28 days commencing on the day after receipt of a written request or 9ii0 such longer period as may be agreed with the SLP where there are engineering difficulties /requirements for off-site reinforcement/Schedule 13 WIA 1991 constraints or where the SLP requests an extended period. | 28 | £100 for each week up to a £2000 limit |
| Self-lay permanent water supply - provided. Provide a permanent supply connection within 14 days commencing on the day following notification in writing of satisfactory pressure and bacteriological testing of the self-lay mains. | 14 | £100 for each week up to a £2000 limit |
| Self-lay vesting certificates - issued . Issue vesting certificate and all information for Asset Payments claim (including on part constructed work) within 7 days commencing on the day following notification that the section of main has been connected. | 7 | Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £90 |
| Self-lay Asset Payments - issued. Make Asset Payment due on all sections of connected mains within 35 days commencing on the day following receipt of a valid invoice claim by the SLP. | 35 | £100 (one off payment) |
| Self-lay plot references and costing details. Issue plot reference information and costing details within 14 days commencing on the day following written notification of (service) connections call-off by the SLP. Costing details to specify all charges payable on each service connection, including infrastructure charges and the cost associated with the provision of meters and any fittings procured from the water company. | 14 | Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £11 |
When financial redress is applicable, payments will be sent back to customer who paid for the service within 60 days of the Levels of Service being published on Water UK’s website.
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.
Redress - Adoption of waste water assets
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.
Technical Information
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.
Why do I have low pressure?
If you’ve noticed sudden low pressure:There could be a few reasons for this, a burst main for example that is causing a sudden dip in your pressure or flow. You will need to carry out a few checks: Check if the low pressure is only affecting your hot water, this would...
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 2020 for 1 cubic metre is: For water - £1.9101 For sewerage including surface water drainage – £3.3364 For sewerage excluding surface water drainage - £2.8364
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