Connecting to the public sewer

All domestic customers are entitled to connect their drains to our sewer system. But written approval from us is required before any new connection to a sewer is made. It is a good idea to speak to our network operations staff prior on 0845 602 0406 to making an application to discuss your proposed connection. Read the sewer connection pack for more information.

Please note that it is not permitted to enter into any public sewer or sewer manhole for any reason without the express written consent of United Utilities. Unauthorised entry into the public sewerage system is in contravention of Health and Safety legislation and may result in prosecution.

We reserve the right to make the connection to our sewer and to ask you to pay the costs. If we decide to allow you or your contractor to do the work, it must be done under our supervision and at your cost. We can in certain circumstances refuse permission for new connections to our sewers. For example we would not allow a foul drain to be connected to a surface water sewer, nor generally surface water to a foul or combined sewer. When a property is connected to the public sewer network for the first time a sewerage infrastructure charge is payable to us. This is usually collected at the same time as the charges for any new water supply to the property.

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