Q. I have an extract of the public water main plan but pipe depths and other information I need are not shown. Can you provide this information?
 
Q. Am I allowed to build over or close to public water mains?
 
Q. Do I need permission to connect to the public water supply system and how can I find out if the water mains have sufficient capacity to service my development?
 
Q. Why do you make a sewerage infrastructure charge when I apply for and connect to a public water supply?
 
Q. Can I lay my water main in the same trench as other utilities such as gas and electric?

Q. Who should I contact to arrange the undertaking of a new connection from my development to the public water supply?  

 
I have an extract of the public water main plan but pipe depths and other information I need are not shown. Can you provide this information?

Southern Water is responsible for some 13,300 kilometres of water mains. As you will appreciate with such a vast network to maintain some of the details relating to it may be presently unknown. All the information that we have relating to the water system appears on the plan and we will not be able to provide you with any information that is not contained thereon. The plans generally indicate location, material and diameter of the water mains. To establish depth etc, trial holes would need to be undertaken. As a guide, pipelines are generally 900mm below the surface. Our records only show public apparatus i.e. that for which we have a responsibility. We are unable to provide any information relating to private water mains, individual connections from properties or service pipes.

Am I allowed to build over or close to public water mains?

Unlike sewers, where permission to build over or close to mains may be given, we DO NOT permit any build over of water mains. You should appreciate that water mains operate at pressure, hence they have the potential to cause considerable damage for which Southern Water could not be held liable.

Do I need permission to connect to the public water supply system and how can I find out if the water mains have sufficient capacity to service my development?

Capacity checks are undertaken upon application – further details are available on our website. Click here to view. Connections to existing water supply mains can only be undertaken by Southern Water.

Why do you make a sewerage infrastructure charge when I apply for and connect to a public water supply?

Infrastructure Charges are explained in our leaflet, available on our website.

Infrastructure charges relevant to water supply will be raised when any premises are connected to our water mains for the first time. For the majority of new developments (including conversions) and existing properties which become connected, the standard amounts will be payable in respect of each individual unit.
The water infrastructure charge is payable when the premises are connected to the public water supply.

Please note: The sewerage infrastructure charge is payable if the premises drain to the public sewer (either directly or indirectly). 

Can I lay my water main in the same trench as other utilities such as gas and electric?

Provided adequate clearance is provided between the water main and other pipelines, it is acceptable for the water supply to be laid in a trench common with other utilities.

Once I have accepted an offer of term for either a new water main connection, paid all relevant monies and completed any necessary agreements, whom should I contact to programme the work in?

Depending on which county your development site is located within, you should contact the appropriate office:

What is the minimum depth at which a supply pipe can be laid?

The minimum cover required is 750mm.