As a developer, before you apply for planning permission, it’s important to understand any potential challenges with supplying water to the site. We provide a free pre-planning assessment, to do this we’ll need information on your development.

Please complete a Water pre-development enquiry form (PDF 107 KB opens new window) and return to us with:

• A map showing the site boundary and preferred point of connection or site entrance.
• The estimated date the water supply is required.

At the detailed planning stage, please complete a Self-lay point of connection application form (PDF 160KB opens in new window), you will need to include:

• Planning status and reference number.
• Estimated build programme.
• Access or third party land requirements.
• Site layout plan.

You can also work out approximate costs for the work with the Self-lay calculator (XLS 55KB opens in new window). 

For your water network designs to be approved please complete the Self-lay application form (PDF 464 KB opens in a new window) and pay your application fee. For details of fees and how to pay, please see the New connections and developer services charges scheme (PDF 1,874 KB opens new window). 

You will also need to provide:

• Most recent site layout in CAD format. 
• Proposed water network design (CAD and PDF format).
• A completed United Utilities’ risk assessment for water pipes Land risk assessment (PDF 110 KB opens in a new window). 
• The estimated date the permanent water supply is required.
• Confirmation of the lead designer for the development and a copy of HSE F10 form (if applicable).
• Main contractor’s project health and safety plan.
• Pre-remediation or post-remediation site investigation (SI) report (where applicable).
• Easement drawing (CAD and PDF) (if applicable).
• List of affected land owners (if applicable).

For further information please see:

• Local Practice Agreement (PDF 125 KB opens new window).
• Design manual (PDF 3,131 KB opens new window).
• Self-lay process flow (PDF 327 KB opens new window).

With our design acceptance we will also issue a self-lay agreement. All parties involved in the development should sign the adoption agreement before sending it to us, we will then sign it. 

We will then send details of any construction costs and infrastructure charges. For sites with multiple plots, we will also email a tracker form to the SLP, this is a list of all plots and their status.

Here is an example of a Self-lay agreement.

Complete a whereabouts form with details of the work being carried out near our water network and send to us. 

It’s then over to you to construct the mains as per the agreed design.

The branch connection will need to be made by us as this is non-contestable work for your site. When you’re ready for this, please let us know a minimum of 28 days before by completing the Request for work (RFW2) for mains branch connections to an existing water main (PDF 54 KB opens in new window).

Before the new main can be connected, it needs to be pressure tested and samples taken for bacteriological testing, please let us know five days before the work is carried out by completing a Mains testing and service connections programme form (SL07) (Excel 30KB).

Once you receive valid pass sample results, please send the information below to us within one calendar day of receiving the results:

• If the SLP is accredited for construction of routine mains connections (CRMC) submit CRMC paperwork.

OR

• If the SLP is not accredited for CRMC, or is classed as high risk, submit a completed Request for work (RFW3) form (PDF 54 KB opens in new window). We will then make the main connection within 14 days of all completed paperwork being received.

You should also supply:

• Pressure and sample result certificates.
• Completed vesting certificate, including notification of plots for connection (copy of certificate is included with adoption agreement). 
• As-laid drawings.
• Proposed date for works via the weekly whereabouts form.

We will give our permission within seven calendar days for the main's connection to be made. It should be carried out on the agreed date and you should then confirm, within one day, that the connection went ahead as planned.

Following the main's connection taking place, we will issue the declaration of vesting. The mains will then be part of our water network which we are responsible for.

If you want us to make the connection please complete a Request for work (service connection) RFW1 form (PDF 134 KB opens new window).

Please also provide:

• Written confirmation of the new postal address for each plot from the local authority street name and numbering department, or confirmation that they’re showing on the Royal Mail website.
• WIAPS (Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme) certificate for pipework if you’ve used a WIAPS certified plumber, if not please arrange an inspection by us.

Alternatively the SLP can make the connection. Before they do, they should send us a notification of intention to connect (at plot level) via the weekly whereabouts form, and postal addresses from the local authority street name and numbering department. The SLP can then carry out the connection and fit the meter (where applicable).

Once the connection has been made the SLP should notify us, via their tracker, which plots have been connected, the date of the connection, and the meter serial number.

Alternatively, if we are fitting the meter, we will contact you to arrange a time to do this.

We will then register the connection and meter on our billing system.