Planning liaison standing advice and frequently asked questions

If you are unsure if you are in the Wessex Water area, please use the Water UK finder tool.

You can get a copy of our network maps via our free online service.

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If you are unsure which application you need, please take a look at our list of services:

I am a homeowner/single-property developer

• Single household applications will not require capacity assessments.
• I need a water connection to the public water main.
• I need a sewer connection to the public sewer network.
• I need guidance on building over/near a public sewer.
• I need guidance on building over/near a public water main.
• I want to apply for a sewer requisition.
• I want to apply for a sewer diversion.

I am a larger developer

• I need a new water main.
• I would like self-lay information.
• I want to offer new or existing sewers for adoption.
• I want to alter / divert a public sewer.
• I need a diversion / disconnection of a public water main.
• I need to permanently or temporarily disconnect an existing water supply.
• I need to requisition a public sewer.
• I need pre-planning/capacity assessment (Single household applications will not require capacity 
  assessments).

I am a self-lay provider (SLP)

•  I would like self-lay information.
• I am a New Appointments and Variations (NAV) company
• I need NAV information.
• I am developing a commercial property
• I need information for developing commercial property. 

I am developing a block of flats

• I need information for developing a block of flats.
• Water Pressure - On-site private storage and pump systems will be required for buildings more than two 
  storeys high. No guarantee can be given on a specific pressure or on maintaining that pressure.

Other relevant information

• What is your position on nutrient neutrality for new development?
• I need something else not covered by the above. 

Water

Information on water pipe responsibility.

Sewerage

Information on public and private sewers.

The point of connection to the public foul network is by application and agreement with Wessex Water. Wessex Water will accommodate domestic-type foul fows in the public foul sewer, with connections made on a size-forsize basis.

The developer is liable to fund the cost of connecting to the nearest ‘size-for-size’ sewer, and Wessex Water will manage the sewer network to accommodate foul fows from granted development. We fund this through our infrastructure charging arrangements.

The size-for-size connection will be determined by the number of dwellings you are proposing. Please refer to the table below:

The developer should contact the local development team by emailing development.north@wessexwater.co.uk, to agree on proposals for the Section 104 adoption or Section 106 connection and submit details for technical review before construction.

We will not accept foul connections from below ground level; foul fows from below ground level must be pumped to ground level before connection to the public foul sewer. Separated systems of drainage are required: Wessex Water will not accept surface water or land drainage fows to the public foul sewer and treatment works, either directly or indirectly.

You should check our network mapping to determine what services are available around your development proposals. 

What is surface water?

Surface water is the rainwater that runs off roofs, roads and paved areas into the public sewerage system.

What is a combined sewer?

Historically, foul sewage generated from within properties (i.e., toilets, baths, sinks, etc.) has been mixed with surface water in a single pipe (combined sewer). Heavy rainfall results in increased runoff from roofs and surfaces, leading to more water entering the sewer network, which can cause storm overflows to operate automatically. If this rainwater is captured before it enters the sewers, it could reduce the frequency of their operation. As such, it is recognised best practice to separate foul sewage from surface water.

For trade effluent queries: please email:

trade.effluent@wessexwater.co.uk

Water in swimming pools contains chlorine, which helps keep swimmers safe from bacterial infection. Still, as chlorine is a bleach, it is very damaging to the flora and fauna in the wider environment. Swimming pools must not be drained to a river, lake, pond, surface water sewer or any other watercourse, including a ditch or highway drain.

Can I drain my swimming pool into your network?

Swimming pools can be drained to a foul sewer; it’s the safest place for it. Wessex Water must be informed of any swimming pools being drained by emailing:

sewer.protection@wessexwater.co.uk

with the following information:

• The date you plan to start draining.

• A contact number, so the drainage can be stopped if problems occur in the sewers.

• A flow rate of 1 l/s is suitable for most sewers. If you require a higher rate, please request it first.

There may be conditions imposed, such as the time of day or in the event of wet weather at some sites to prevent flooding (overnight drainage is preferred). The pool should be left to stand for three to five days without chlorination to allow the dissolved chlorine to disperse before being discharged to a foul sewer.

How do I deal with back-wash water?

Back-wash water must always be drained or pumped to a foul sewer. Volumes are low, so they do not normally affect sewer capacity, provided the flow rate does not exceed 1 litre per second. However, you must take steps to limit the free chlorine concentration to a maximum of 2 mg/l so that you do not put sewerage staff at risk. You should also retain a plan of the drainage system to the foul sewer, as this will be required to be produced should there be a need to investigate any pollution events

No, it’s important to know that when it comes to water and sewerage works.

Some work must be done by Wessex Water. This includes anything that could compromise the integrity of our existing networks and the public supply if done by anyone else.

Some work must be done by a competent contractor. For example, you need to hire a competent contractor to lay a water supply pipe inside the boundary of your property. You must also hire a competent contractor to lay new sewers or replace existing ones, or to make new sewer connections, either on private or public land.

Some work can be done by either Wessex Water or a competent contractor. For example, you can hire an accredited self-lay provider (SLP) to install a new water main and water connections to serve a development, subject to our acceptance. You can also approach us directly to install the new main and connections.

Please be aware that no connections should be made to the public water or sewer networks without Wessex Water’s approval. If the work you’re planning crosses into third-party land, you’ll also need to get the consent of the affected landowner before starting the works.

The Water Industry Act 1991 is a UK legislation that outlines our duties to you regarding water supply and sewerage. Most of the services we provide as a water company are governed by the Act, including our Developer Services, and that’s why we sometimes reference important sections of it.

Here’s a list of sections of the Act that directly relate to Developer Services:

Water

• Section 41: water main requisition.
• Section 45: water connections to the public water main.
• Section 51A: adoption of new water mains under a self-lay agreement.
• Section 62: permanent disconnection of a water supply.
• Section 185: water main diversions.

Sewerage

• Section 98: sewer requisition.
• Section 101A: first-time sewerage.
• Section 102: adoption of existing sewers.
• Section 104: adoption of new sewers.
• Section 106: sewer connections.
• Section 115: highway drainage connections.
• Section 116: sewer closure.
• Section 185: sewer diversions

Our charges

New Connections Charges Calculator

Where a new water connection and a new sewer connection are made by two separate companies, connections charges will be payable to both companies.

For all other enquiries please contact us.