First time sewerage scheme

Section 101A Water Industry Act 1991: If you need a first-time sewerage scheme, you'll need to apply for the provision of a public sewer.

You're eligible to ask us to provide a public sewer if:

You've an interest in the premises

For example, as the owner or occupier
You're acting on someones behalf

You're asking on behalf of the householders, for example, a local authority

You can ask for us to provide a new public sewer if environmental or amenity problems exist or are likely to arise from their existing drainage system. However, we're only required to provide a public sewer in certain circumstances.

What are the approval criteria?

We'll appraise proposals according to the technical criteria and economic factors set out by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)/Welsh Office and any other relevant factors.

Our appraisal will examine all practicable options for overcoming the environmental or amenity problem in the long term. This can include repair, proper maintenance or reconstruction of the existing systems, other than by the provision of a new private sewer.

We'll provide a new public sewer, only if it is appropriate to do so in the light of the guidance and all other factors. Once we've considered cases under the new duty, they will only be reconsidered if material changes in the environmental or amenity problems have arisen.

Start your application

Apply for the provision of a public sewer (Section 101A)

Apply now

Build over or near a sewer

New extensions, properties, or other developments can have an impact on our network. That's why if you're planning on building within three metres of a public sewer, you'll need to apply for permission first.

Learn more and apply

Applying for a first time sewerage scheme

Before you make an application, it’s important to consider the following:

We're generally aware of the drainage position. However, you may wish to highlight the particular problems in your locality by supplying a brief description and any evidence of the environmental and amenity problems.
The extent of the sewerage requirements and why you, as the applicant(s), think a public sewer is required. Explain this in your application, along with any supporting documents.
You don't need to carry out tests, detailed appraisals, or professionally prepared studies and designs of the options. If you have any of these, however, it would be helpful to let us see them.

Apply using our online form

We'll let you know we've received your application and when we expect to give you our reply.

Initial assessment

We'll provide an initial assessment of your application's validity, including an explanation of how we plan to assess it.

We'll consider solutions

We'll examine a range of possible options (e.g., provision of a new public sewer, remedying existing systems etc.) in accordance with the Defra/Welsh office guidance. In each case, we'll assess the expected environmental or amenity benefits and the costs of alternative solutions.

Conclusion

Typically, we aim to have concluded our appraisal within 12 months of receipt of your application. We'll then write to the person or body acting as the application coordinator with our decision. If your application is more complex, it may take longer to process. We'll notify you of this and provide an alternative date by which you can expect our response. If we refuse your application, the reason(s) for this will be set out in full. If this is the case, you can appeal to the Environment Agency.

Sewer requisitions and adoptions

If you'd like to request a new sewer main or apply for us to adopt an existing sewer, you can do so through our GetConnected portal.
Follow the links below to learn more about the application process and how to apply.

Apply for a sewer requisition Apply for a sewer adoption

A close-up of a plastic barrier. On the other side of the barrier, a Clancy Repair Team engineer works in an excavated area of ground

Step 1: Applicant details

Please add your name, address, and contact details here.

Step 2: Correspondence details

Please add the contact details of where you wish us to send all communications, for example, if you are representing the applicant.

Step 3: Property details

Please use this section to provide details about the property, the current drainage arrangements, and how this might cause problems.

Step 4: Supporting information

Please upload any supporting information such as letters, documents, photographs and other evidence which might assist with your application.

Step 5: Representatives

Please add the names and contact information of any additional representatives here.

Step 6: Properties with defective drainage systems

This information will remain confidential to Southern Water and is solely for the purpose of assessing this application. Please provide details of remedial work which the owner believes would be necessary for the system to operate satisfactorily. This should include copies of builders' quotations, details of any work already undertaken, etc).

First name

Last name

Address line 1

Address line 2 (optional)

Postcode

Phone

First name

Last name

Address line 1

Address line 2 (optional)

Postcode

Phone

Communications agreement

I agree to represent the applicant(s) concerned and request that all communications be directed to me.

Number of properties represented by this application

Number of properties with defective drainage

Other household willingness

Existing drainage arrangements

Existence of environmental or amenity problems

Upload documents (optional)

Upload either pdf, docx, xlsx, png or jpg

Choose File

Representative agreement

I agree to the person named acting as representative on behalf of this application under S101A of the Water Industry Act 1991

First name

Last name

Address line 1

Address line 2 (optional)

Postcode

First name

Last name

Address line 1

Postcode

Reason

Step 1: Applicant details

Please add your name, address, and contact details here.

Step 2: Correspondence details

Please add the contact details of where you wish us to send all communications, for example, if you are representing the applicant.

Step 3: Property details

Please use this section to provide details about the property, the current drainage arrangements, and how this might cause problems.

Step 4: Supporting information

Please upload any supporting information such as letters, documents, photographs and other evidence which might assist with your application.

Step 5: Representatives

Please add the names and contact information of any additional representatives here.

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First time sewerage scheme

You're eligible to ask us to provide a public sewer if:

You've an interest in the premises

You're acting on someones behalf