Sewer connection

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.

What is a wastewater connection, and when do I need one?

A new wastewater connection is a connection to the public sewer main, either directly or indirectly, through private drains. You'll need to apply for both of these.

It's illegal under Section 109 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to make a connection to the public sewer without our approval.

The Wastewater Connection application is only for approving the means and mode of construction. In other words, the way your drainage will physically connect to our network. So, it’s important that you also check that there is capacity to accommodate your proposed flows. If you are building a large development or a commercial property, you can assess available capacity with a pre-planning enquiry wastewater application.

Apply with GetConnected

In our GetConnected portal you can submit applications, track, pay for, and manage your projects.

You may need a new wastewater connection if you're:

Undertaking building works

Building a new property, building a house extension with a new kitchen, bathroom, or toilet

Converting a property

Changing the use of the property (i.e., from a residential to a commercial property)

Increasing the number of properties

Increasing the number of properties, including splitting the plot in two

Adding or changing the type of flow

Adding or changing the type of flow (i.e., connecting foul sewerage that was previously discharged to a septic tank)

Connecting to the private sewer

Connecting to the private sewer and adding an additional discharge load or splitting the property into additional units

You won't need to apply if:

You're connecting to your private sewer

Providing there are no additional flows involved

You're not splitting the property

In this case, you can make the connection yourself using a certified contractor without a sewer connection application. Your local building control officer will need to monitor and sign this off.

Applying to connect to a sewer

Within our network, we have several different types of sewers. The most common type of wastewater connection is that to the foul sewer. If you need to dispose of wastewater from the kitchen, baths, toilets, showers, washing machines, etc., you'll need to connect to the foul sewer.

Locating the public sewers

You can find out where the public sewers are in your area using sewer and water maps. If there are no records of the sewers on the map, you'll need to carry out a drainage survey to check what sewers are available to you.
There are many contractors that can help with this, such as InSewer and Dyno (Isle of White area). Once you have identified the sewer, you'll need to discuss with your contractor the best way to connect.

Do I need to apply separately for each connection?

You can submit one application form for multiple connections. However, there'll be a separate fee for each sewer connection approval you need.
If you need separate foul and surface water connections, you will need to select the option “Combined sewer connection” and specify in the comments how many of each type you need.