Self-lay schemes

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 144 KB 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 102 KB opens in new window). 

For your water network designs to be approved please complete the Self-lay application form (PDF 970 KB opens 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 2.36 MB 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 229 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:

• Design and construction specification (PDF 3,889 KB opens new window).
• Design manual (PDF 3,131 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.

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.

If your site is covered under our old terms, the branch connection will need to be made by us. 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 111 KB opens in new window).

If your self-lay application was made after 1st January 2021 then the branch connection may be considered as contestable work therefore: 

If the SLP is making the branch connection then a request for permission to work form must be completed and sent to us a minimum of 5 days before your intended connection date for our approval. The connection should be carried out on the agreed date and you should then confirm within one calendar day that the connection went ahead as planned, and within 5 days submit your completed connection form for us to review. 

If the branch connection is being made by us, we will make the connection in line with the date agreed in your signed water adoption agreement. Please note that this will be a minimum of 28 days after you return your signed agreement, acceptance note, payment to us and request for work (RFW2) form to us.

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 25KB).

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 the construction of routine mains connections, please submit a request for permission to work form. We will give our permission within seven calendar days for the mains 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.

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.

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 213 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 connections. Where the connection is being made to the newly laid mains then notification of intention to connect (at a plot level) should be sent to us via the weekly whereabouts form, along with postal addresses from the local authority street name and numbering department. If the connection is being made to an existing main then a request for permission to work form should also be sent to us no less than 5 working days before you intend to make the connections for approval. 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.

Guidance on metering including reporting serial numbers, tagging and our meter location policy can be found in our Meter Guide for SLP’s (PDF 496 KB opens in a new window).

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.

From January 2022 we will be increasing the contestable activity that we will allow SLPs accredited with “CRUPMC, Construction Routine Under Pressure Mains Connections” to complete in our area. This will include under pressure connections to our existing network up to and including 63mm in size (subject to a number of criteria being met related to the host main).

This criteria includes:

• Up to a 12” host main
• Where the host main material is either DI/CI/SI/AC/PE/Barrier Pipe/Steel
• Where a shut off is not required
• Where the main is not considered to be strategic

Please use the application forms below if you wish to apply for a connection on behalf of a developer.

• Application to make a new connection to a house (PDF 2.29 MB opens in a new window)
• Application to make a new connection to flats/apartments (PDF 2.28 MB opens in a new window)
• Application to make a new connection to a commercial property (PDF 1.88 MB opens in a new window)

When you are ready to make your connections, you will be required to complete our Request for Permission to Work form and this is to be sent to us no less than 5 days before you intend to make the connections. We will review the information on your form and provide you with approval. You can then make your connections on an agreed date and fit the water meter (where applicable).

Within 1 day of the connection being made, the SLP must notify United Utilities that the work has been completed. Within 5 days, a Completed Connection form must be sent to us. You must use your tracker to inform us of the connected plots, the date of the connection and the meter serial number.

Guidance on metering including reporting serial numbers, tagging and our meter location policy can be found in our Meter Guide for SLP’s (PDF 496 KB opens in a new window).

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.

• Annual Contestability Summary (PDF 96KB opens in a new window) 
• Metering (PDF 392KB opens in a new window)
• Generating Plot Reference Numbers (PDF 366KB opens in a new window)
• Service Connection Call Off Requirements (PDF 371KB opens in a new window)

The Design and Construction Specifications (DCS) will replace our current design manual from January 2021. The DCS sets out the new standards for the design and construction adoptable self-lay water mains. 

• Design and Construction Specification
• United Utilities Variations to CESWI

If you have any questions about any part of your development then we are here to help. Please get in touch using your preferred method using the contact details here.