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.
Pre Development Services – Waste Water
If you are planning a new development, you’ll need to talk to us in the early stages of planning so that we can avoid delays and provide support and advice on your proposal.
Before construction can begin, most types of development or building work will need planning permission from the local planning authority.
Whilst we are not a statutory consultant for planning applications, we endeavour to review all applications for planning permission that are submitted to local authorities. We do this to ensure that any development does not compromise our assets including water and waste water networks, which ultimately protects the service we supply to our customers. Please click here to view the Planning Application Standard Requirements.
The pre planning process provides the customer with the point of connection for the site they are looking to developer and a budget estimate of the costs of supply them.
The company will provide:
- A copy of the public records and a point of connection
- A desktop estimate based on the Developer Services Charging Arrangements
This information will be provided within 21 calendar days of a full application.
Customers can undertake their own point of connection assessment and should they require validation of this review, the information can be submitted to South West Water for validation.
Application form and guidance notes
Pre Planning Point of Connection Application Form
Please complete all sections and provide the information requested so that your application can be processed as quickly and accurately as possible.
Flowchart and charges
Information on our Developer Services Charging Arrangements can be found here.
Please view 'Customer Flowchart - Pre Planning Point of Connection Enquiry' 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.
Isles of Scilly
From 1 April 2020 South West Water became the appointed water and wastewater company for the Isles of Scilly. This means that South West Water took responsibility for existing water and wastewater infrastructure on the islands.
Investing in our region
We believe it is right to support the necessary improvements in water and wastewater services on the islands so that services are in line with standards on mainland UK by 2025 or 2030 in the case of Tresco. This includes the ability to provide new water and sewer connections to the network.
Our wastewater investment will be focused on achieving a reliable wastewater service including being able to cope with extreme conditions, protecting the environment and providing long term benefits to the community.
The balanced investment for each island for water asset improvements will focus on achieving a clean, safe and reliable supply of drinking water.
South West Water appreciate that the island economy is heavily dependent on tourism with over 90% of the islands' income coming from this source. Therefore, our proposed programme of investment will be designed to support and enhance the economy of the islands by improving services and the environment. Once finalised, we will actively communicate with local communities to ensure we work together to deliver improvements in the best way for the communities we serve. Once the asset improvements are delivered to your community we will happily help with applications for new or replacement supplies.
Should you wish to discuss your enquiry further please contact our Developer Services Help Desk on 0800 083 1821.