Before you can connect to the public sewer, you'll need to:
- fill in our application form
- pay the application fee
- include your supporting documents.
Our guidance notes explain how to complete the form, the different connection methods and what the fees are.
Just so you know: the application fee is non-refundable, so please check your connection is to a public sewer before you apply.
Once we have your completed form and payment, we’ll do a technical assessment and get back to you within 21 days. We'll either confirm that the work can go ahead or explain why we can't approve it.
If your connection is for a new building that needs planning permission, you can't connect to the public sewer until planning approval is granted and any drainage conditions are discharged.
If you're a local highway authority or civil engineering company acting on their behalf, you'll need to apply for a highway drainage connection.
Did you know misconnecting a sewer could cause wastewater to flow from your drain into our rivers and streams? Find out more about misconnections and how to prevent them.
Making a new connection to a public sewer guidance notes
You can read this document in your browser or download it.
Apply for sewer connections
What you'll need
- All of your site details and connection requirements
- A site location plan and site layout plan
- Sewer Works Authorisation documents
- Application fee payment (£318 per private connection or £835 per connection with adoptable lateral drain)
NEW
Apply online
New to this? No problem – click on the button below and answer some quick, simple questions to get a free budget estimate. We’ll then get in touch to walk you through the full application.
If you’re already a pro, you can submit your full application using the button below.
You can also finish an incomplete application or view a previous application in our old portal.
6 simple steps to a new connection
Here’s what you need to do – and what we’ll do – at each stage of your journey.
1
You apply and pay your application fee
Fill out our sewer connection application form and pay the application fee. We’ll get back to you within 7 days to let you know we’ve got everything or if we’re missing any details.
2
We do a technical assessment
We’ll do a technical assessment of your application and send you either our approval or a letter explaining our objections within 21 days of receiving your completed form.
3
You arrange the sewer connection
You or your appointed drainage contractor will make the connection according to the method and specifications set out in our approval letter.
4
You book in an inspection
Call the number on your approval letter to book a site inspection. Make sure the trench where the connection is installed is open and accessible for inspection.
5
We inspect the connection
Our inspector will come to your site to inspect the connection. At this point, we'll either sign off the works as complete or request further information if there are any issues.
6
We send you a completion certificate
If the connection has been signed off by our inspector, we'll send you a completion certificate within 14 days of the inspection to confirm our approval.
Highway Drainage (S115)
In some circumstances, a local highway authority or civil engineering company acting on behalf of a highways authority can apply for our approval for a highway connection to the public sewer network as part of an Agreement under section 115 (S115) of the Water Industry Act 1991.
Unlike domestic drainage, highway drainage does not have the automatic right of connection to the public sewer system. For us to consider a proposed highway connection, we’ll need to see evidence in your application that:
- sustainable drainage features are not a viable option
- there are no watercourses or highway drains available nearby
- there’s capacity within the public sewer network.
Once we have your completed application and payment of the associated fee, we’ll carry out a technical assessment and aim to respond within 21 calendar days. Our response will be either an acceptance of the proposed works and guidance on arranging the relevant legal agreement, or a letter explaining our objections.
Application for a highway drainage connection (s115)
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