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We understand that all projects are different. If you need further guidance, you can use this form to request a callback.
We provide various building and development services to help you complete your project and get you connected to the network.
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We provide a range of commercial services across our region. You can learn more and enquire about them here.
Useful Commercial links
Here you can access all the information you need about our retailer commitment, our policies, using the retailer portal, and more.
Useful Retailer Links
Here you'll find all the latest information on what's happening in our region including our current Pathfinder projects.
Useful Region Links
Here you can learn more about us and our ambitions and the people, organisations and policies that underpin our business.
We provide various building and development services to help you complete your project and get you connected to the network.
Help and resources
We provide a range of commercial services across our region. You can learn more and enquire about them here.
Useful Commercial links
Here you can access all the information you need about our retailer commitment, our policies, using the retailer portal, and more.
Useful Retailer Links
Here you'll find all the latest information on what's happening in our region including our current Pathfinder projects.
Useful Region Links
Here you can learn more about us and our ambitions and the people, organisations and policies that underpin our business.
Find out what's happening in your area,
reported incidents and planned works.
We'll help guide you through the process of offering a newly constituted sewer, pumping station or wastewater treatment works for adoption.
On 1 April 2020, Ofwat introduced a new standard practice across the water industry in England. This covers the adoption of newly constructed sewers, pumping stations and wastewater treatment works. You can view the new process in Water UK’s new Sewer Sector Guidance (SSG), which has now replaced the ‘Sewers for Adoption’ guidance.
If you want to apply for the adoption of a new system, you can do so through our GetConnected portal.
Log in to the GetConnected portalThe guide below explains what you need to do when offering new sewers, pumping stations, or wastewater treatment works for adoption. We'll be in touch throughout the process to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Before you complete the application form, please read the wastewater pre-planning guidance. Please also check the water and wastewater asset maps for your site. You can request maps through us.
For large or complex sites, we can discuss your proposals through a pre-design strategic assessment. You should request this before submitting your sewer adoption application. Please read the wastewater pre-design strategic assessment guidance before applying. Then, complete the application form and email it to us.
Fill in our online form and submit your design along with the application fee. We’ll review your application within five days.
If your design includes offering a pumping station for adoption, you’ll need to refer to Pumping Station: Local Practice Guidance.
You'll need to enter into an adoption agreement for us to formally adopt the sewers. Once signed, you'll need to pay an adoption fee. We understand construction may need to begin before all parties have signed the agreement. In this case, you can complete an early start request to avoid delays.
Below you'll find specific documents and guidance to help you through the application process.
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If any variations to the system occur after we've granted technical acceptance, please contact the team at DStechassessment@southernwater.co.uk for further guidance.
Here's a general breakdown of how we assess variation:
We consulted with our customers on our Pumping Station Local Practice document. We're reviewing your feedback and will publish our responses soon.
If you'd like to offer feedback, you can email Developer.Communication@Southernwater.co.uk. Please add ‘Pumping Station Consultation’ to the subject line.
Under Section 102 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the owner of an existing private sewer can apply to transfer ownership of their sewer to us.
All the information you need is in our guidance notes for adopting existing sewers. If you’d like to apply for us to adopt an existing sewer, you can do so through our GetConnected portal.
Section 7 of the sector guidance sets out the process for redress where a level of service metric has not been met by the water company.
We have created a redress document for ease of reference. This covers both the redress guidance and a link to the associated metrics.
We know that for some sites there's a need to cross third-party private land and you may not be given permission by the landowner for access. When this happens, you can apply for a sewer requisition through us. We'll design a suitable route, enter into an agreement with yourselves and then construct the new sewer main.
We understand that all projects are different. If you need further guidance, you can use this form to request a callback.
If you're building a house extension, a new home or a commercial building, or simply making changes to your existing drainage, you may need a new wastewater connection to our sewer network.
If you need to request a diversion or change to one of our sewer mains, you'll need to apply for a sewer main diversion online.
Learn more about why you should consider any nearby sewers while you're planning your project, and how to submit a build over application.