If you need to connect new or existing drains to a public sewer network, then you need formal permission from the local water authority. This is where a Section 106 application under the Water Industry Act 1991 comes in. A Section 106 application is a must if you’re building a new house, extending, or significantly renovating an existing property.
Connecting to sewers (and applying to do so) isn’t exactly the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about building your dream home or extending the house you live in, so people often get caught out. To help, we’re going to discuss sewer connections and Section 106 applications in this article, along with why the applications are so important and five things you need to know before you apply.
No time to read? Give us a call now on 01268 950050, and we’ll be happy to help.
Why is securing permission via a Section 106 application important?
Getting formal permission from the local water authorities before connecting to public sewers is essential for several reasons.
First, if you don’t ensure compliance by properly applying for, and receiving, your consent to connect, it’s an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991. If you’re found to have committed this offence, then the local authorities can remove your connection, holding you liable for the costs involved.
Second, it ensures that the connection will be designed and constructed safely and to the necessary standards. As any sewer connection contractor will tell you, a well-designed, compliant connection is important for ensuring that there are no future drainage problems relating to the property’s sewerage system. Badly made sewer connections can become blocked more easily, creating problems with odours, flies, and raw sewage backing up into the property, which is the last thing anyone wants.
Understanding direct and indirect public sewer connections
A direct connection is exactly as it sounds – connecting directly to the public sewer – while an indirect connection is where you connect to a drain which discharges into a public sewer. Most of the UK’s public sewer network is made up of local sewers, which connect to trunk sewers. As connections to trunk sewers are rarely given permission, you will need to find the closest local sewer for your new connection.
Whether you intend to connect to a public sewer directly or indirectly, you must complete a Section 106 application.
How to find the closest public sewer
Finding your nearest public sewer is usually a case of ordering an asset location search through your local water company – many of them offer this service online through Digdat. This will give you all the essential information needed for you, or professional teams like us, to design the sewer connection for your Section 106 application.
As an alternative, you can visit your local authority’s offices to inspect their public sewer map.
Making your Section 106 application
Once you have obtained the details of the nearest public sewer, the sewer connection will need to be designed and plans prepared. Anyone can prepare them, but it’s wise to take professional advice at this early stage so that your application isn’t delayed by missing information or design mistakes.
Design drawings must include the location of sewage and water pipes close to your property or site, the exact location of the proposed public sewer connection, and how the private drainage system will connect to the public sewer, including pipe sizes and depths. If planning permission is also a requirement of your development, you will need to submit this decision notice along with your sewer connection plans and application details.
It’s important to note each water authority’s specific requirements for a Section 106 application, as there may be differences. We highly recommend having a look at the guidance available online for your local water authority.
Local water authorities make submitting your application straightforward. We can handle this on your behalf if we’ve designed your connection for you, but otherwise, if you’re based in the east and southeast, you can submit your application to Thames Water, Anglian Water, and Southern Water.
5 things to know before you apply
Before applying for a Section 106 Agreement, there are several important details you’ll need for a complete application that has the highest chance of acceptance.
You will need to know:
1. The type of sewer connection you need
The type of sewer connection you’ll require depends on the job the connection has to do. For example, does it need to carry wastewater, surface water, or both? These are the types of sewer connections available, as listed by Thames Water:
- Foul water sewer: carries wastewater from connected indoor facilities, such as toilets, baths, showers, sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines.
- Surface water sewer: carries rainwater and other surface water from rooftops, roads, driveways, and paved areas.
- Combined sewer: carries both foul water and surface water.
- Trade sewer: carries wastewater from industrial premises.
- Trunk and chemical sewers: usually only used in complex projects.
If you’re not sure what type of sewer connection your project needs, get in touch with our team, and we’ll help you figure it out.
2. The location of the sewer and who owns it
As mentioned previously in this post, finding the nearest public sewer can be done by ordering an asset location search through your local water company or by visiting your local authority’s offices to inspect their public sewer map. For support with this, reach out to us for advice. Alternatively, our team can locate the sewer by liaising with the local water authority on your behalf.
It’s important to remember that connections can be made directly to a public sewer or indirectly through a private drain that discharges into a public sewer.
- If you’re connecting to a public sewer (direct connection), you will only need permission from the local water authority.
- If you’re connecting to a private drain (indirect connection), you’ll need permission from both the local water authority and the drain owner.
- You can find the drain owner through property deeds, the previously obtained sewer map, or from the results of a drainage survey.
3. The paperwork for a Section 106 application
Check with your local water authority, as requirements may differ, but as a general guide, you need to supply the following as part of your application:
- A detailed drainage plan showing your entire site, including all buildings, roads, sewers, drainage, and the proposed connection point.
- A site location plan showing your site boundary within the surrounding area. You can purchase this type of plan from the Land Registry.
- A copy of planning permission, if relevant to your project.
While you can prepare these plans yourself, we recommend saving yourself time, not to mention stress, by asking a drainage specialist such as ourselves to do it.
4. The cost of a Section 106 application
Costs to submit your application vary depending on which local water authority you are applying to. Review their guidance and application processes online to make sure you’re absolutely clear about the cost.
5. The length of time application approval can take
Most people forget to factor in the amount of time it takes for the local water authority to review their application. Checking your project meets both their requirements and national specifications could take up to 21 days. You’ll also need to factor in time for an inspection of the work if you’re connecting directly to a public sewer or relocating a manhole.
Once you receive approval, you’ll have around two years before it runs out, after which you’d need to reapply. If you are using an already approved project plan, make sure it hasn’t expired.
Use the expertise of your sewer connection contractor for your S106 application
The most efficient way of getting Section 106 consent to connect to a public sewer is to let your sewer connection contractor take care of the whole process. We can handle every stage of the journey, including the initial asset location search, the connection design, implementing the connection works, and getting the final sign-off.
Our customers frequently choose this option, as we have 50+ years of experience in public sewer connections. We ensure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed for efficient, first-time approval, saving you money by keeping fees to a minimum, and avoiding delays on site.
To find out more about how we support our clients with their sewage connections and S106 applications, and for free advice on your sewer connection works, call 01268 950050 or send us an email at [email protected].
