Self-lay

Have you submitted a pre-development enquiry which will provide useful information about the location and capacity of existing services within and adjacent to your site?

Have you got planning approval from the local authority? You will need this before applying for a new water main.

This step is only relevant where the SLP is producing the mains design for the site. Please note the designer must hold WIRS accreditation. If you want Wessex Water to complete the design, you do not need to submit a point of connection application.

Where that is the case, please complete the Point of Connection application.

Once received, within 14 calendar days (28 days for sites over 500 properties), we will confirm the point(s) on the existing water supply network where a Source of Water Connection can be made. This will allow the designer to produce your water mains and service design. 

When you’re ready to apply, please apply online and include the following with the application:

• Site layout showing proposed service entry points and meter locations – (DWG Format).
• We need to know about any special engineering needs specific to your site (e.g. due to nearby railways, motorways, or similar infrastructure). Please provide drawings which clearly show their location (DWG Format).
• Drainage layout plans showing the proposed wastewater and surface water drains and sewers within your boundary.
• Plumbing schematics and flow calculations for any commercial properties.
• A completed Soils Analysis Report (note: if you are installing permeable paving, we will default to barrier pipe and no Soils Report will be required).
• Plot to postal addresses and Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs). These should have been issued to you alongside your planning permission.

We will acknowledge your application within 5 calendar days, including a request for any outstanding information if applicable. Please note that we will be unable to proceed with your application until your submission is full and complete. 

Where we are creating a design for the new water mains on your site, within 28 calendar days (please note this increases to 42 calendar days for sites over 500 properties), we’ll send you:

• A fixed quote (offer letter) for main laying specific to your project
• A scheme drawing
• Estimate for connections for each plot (where applicable)

Alternatively, where you have provided us with a design for approval, we will approve (subject to meeting our Design & Construction specification) and provide all the above within 14 calendar days (please note this increases to 28 calendar days for sites over 500 properties)

Please review your quote and the associated documents. Note that from the date of the quote, you have six months to sign the documents and return them to us. Once you’ve done so, the price will be valid for a further twelve months. 

If work doesn’t start within this time (defined as making the first plot connection on site), a new quote will be required and a charge for this will apply.

If you are ready to accept, please sign all the required documents, and return via email.  

We will issue a self-lay agreement.

All parties involved in the development must sign the adoption agreement before sending it to us. Please make sure that you include the following:

• Signatures on page 29
• Indicate your preferred Source of Water date on page 30 (the developer should have this information). We will let you know if we can attend on this date or suggest an alternative if we are unable to do so.
• An indicative phasing programme should be outlined on page 33
• The dispute resolution schedule 6 on page 34
• Daily contact details page 37

We will then sign the agreement and return a copy to all parties 

Please arrange payment. Details on how to pay are outlined on your quote. It is important to state your reference number when paying, as if we are unable to locate your payment then this may delay the process.

You will need to book in a pre-start meeting before any main laying works start. Please contact us to arrange this.

We need to know what work you are doing and when you are doing it, so that we can inspect the installation and can have someone onsite at the right time.

All SLPs are expected to submit a weekly-whereabouts at the end of the week that details the work they are going to do the following week in the incumbent's area.

Please email the details to selflay@wessexwater.co.uk

We appreciate that plans can change, so if yours do, please contact us.

You can now construct the mains as per the agreed design. Please notify us of your intention to do so.

Before the new mains can be connected to our existing network, commissioning details will need to be provided.

Please send the following:

• Pressure test certificate
• Disinfection and sample results
• As-laid drawings
• Proposed date for the connection
• A proposed service connection programme, listing the plots that will be connected off the newly laid main 

If the SLP is accredited for the construction of routine mains connections (SCRMC), please submit a SCRMC Notification. We will give our permission to connect within five calendar days for the mains connection to be made. It should be carried out on the agreed date, and please also confirm the approximate time that the connection will be made, as we will need to be in attendance on site.

You should then confirm within one day that the connection went ahead as planned.

If the SLP is not accredited for SCRMC, submit a completed Request for work. We will then make the main connection within 14 days of all completed paperwork and payment being received.

Following the main's connection taking place, we will issue the declaration of vesting within five calendar days. The mains will then be part of our water network which we are responsible for.

We will need to set up your development on our internal systems, to ensure that the new occupiers of the properties are billed correctly.

We require plot to postal addresses to together with the Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRN) for your site as soon as possible and before any plot connections can take place.

You will need to submit a notification of proposed service connections 10 working days prior to the proposed service connection date. Please note that plot connections can only be made to a vested main, and you will need to arrange any outstanding payments (e.g. administrative or infrastructure charges) before these can be carried out.

If standard meters are to be installed, then please review our service connection call-off requirements document which provides further information on how to purchase the water meters. 

However, if smart meters are required, then Wessex Water will install these 24-48 hours after your proposed connection date.

Before making connections, you will need to ensure that minimum internal plumbing is present and that the private supply pipe is appropriately installed.

Once the connection has been made you must notify us which plots have been connected, the date of the connection, and the meter serial number.

This should be done within 1 calendar day of completing the connection for non-household properties and 5 calendar days for domestic properties. 

A final walk off to inspect the newly installed main and service connections will be required. 

It is expected that the SLP and Developer would have carried out their own quality checks and made good any identified defects before requesting a final walk off with Wessex water.

When you are ready, please contact us to arrange the walk off, preferably before the final tarmacking has taken place.

After a site walk off, there may be defects that need rectifying. The SLP will be made aware of these, and a list provided and updated during the construction period.

Please be aware that the Developer and SLP are jointly responsible for any rectifications.

If WW is required to undertake any work on the site following mains and/or services having been adopted, the cost will be recharged. Please note this may involve using Tanker infusion to ensure that water supplies are maintained to any customers that occupy the new properties on site.