Self Lay 

As an alternative to having new mains and service connections installed by us, developers can arrange for the work to be carried out by qualified contractors.

Codes of Adoption are now available for Self Lay (please see below dropdown for more details). This is for when a Developer appoints an independent Self-Lay Provider (known as a SLP) to undertake the contestable work of designing and/or installing water mains and services on a new development site. It details the delivery processes, requirements for the work and specifies the role of SLPs and Water Companies. Additionally you can find guidance from Ofwat on Self Lay here.

The work must be carried out by a company that is accredited with the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) which is administered by Lloyds Register.

As an alternative to having new mains and service connections installed by a Self Lay Provider, developers can arrange for the work to be carried out by us.

 

Pre Development Services
If you are planning to connect to our Clean Water network and you would like to understand the options which are available for the connection and an estimate of the likely cost of the connection before you make a formal application to us, we can provide you with a budget estimate.

Please click here for more information on Pre Development Services

Traditionally water companies have installed all mains and connected up all service pipes.  While developers can still choose to requisition mains and service connections from us, they can also employ a Self-Lay Provider (SLP) to design, lay and connect mains and services.  Upon completion of the work, we will then normally adopt the mains and/or services that have been installed by the SLP from the developer.  Once the installations are adopted the developer takes on no additional ongoing responsibility than if the work had been requisitioned.

Benefits of Self-Lay

Developers can find self-lay beneficial because:

  • They may be able to employ a single contractor to install the water, gas and electricity infrastructure;
  • It may work out cheaper to Self-Lay than requisition, and
  • Self-Lay Providers (SLPs) may be able to offer more bespoke service and greater flexibility in relation to the timing of the required works.

Applications made after 1st January 2021

Supporting the market

We are committed to promoting competition and developer choice through the Self-Lay Provider (SLP) and New Application and Variation (NAV) markets, and actively subject our processes to ongoing review and refinement.

In 2022, in response to feedback received, we commissioned Sia Partners to conduct an independent review to assess our New Connections charges in particular in relation to SLPs. We asked Sia to consider to assess the extent to which - in applying Ofwat’s Charging Rules for New Connections Services - our charges have been applied fairly, and appropriately balance the needs of our developer services customers. We also asked Sia to utilise the market insight gained when producing its 2021 report for Ofwat (Connection Charges For Developer Services In England Root Cause Analysis, Sia Partners, Ofwat, 2021) to comment its view of the drivers behind low SLP activity in Devon and Cornwall.

Sia concluded that South West Water is compliant with Ofwat principles in both its Charging Arrangements and the support offered to the SLP market. Additionally, following a review of connection costs, that South West Water’s low costs are driven by efficient practices and high volumes of work. Sia also noted and made recommendations on steps we could be explore to further support SLPs in the region. Our action plan to address these recommendations and the Executive Summary of the report can be found below. To demonstrate the scope of the work undertaken the contents page of Sia’s report is also included.


References in the report to South West Water relate to Bournemouth Water's charges as well, as the company offers the same tariffs across both the South West Water and Bournemouth Water operating areas.

Stage 1a - Pre planning Enquiry

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 Clean Water Pre Development Enquiry Form 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.

Please click here for further information

Stage 1c - Point of connection

This stage confirms the point(s) where a Self-Laid Main can be connected to an existing main on the network to allow the Customer to estimate costs, determine the scope of the Self-Lay works and produce a design.

At the detailed planning stage, please complete a Point of Connection Enquiry form, you will need to include:

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

Click here for further information

Stage 2 - Design of self laid water mains

Please complete the Application for new development infrastructure form indicating if you are to complete the design and requesting approval, or if you want to request for SWW/BW to carry out the design.

You will need to provide:

  • SLP design check list - click here to view/download
  • Most recent site layout in CAD format. 
  • Proposed water network design (CAD and PDF format).
  • A completed South West Water/Bournemouth Water risk assessment for water pipes - click here to view/download
  • 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.

Click here to view the SWW/BW Design and Construction Specification

Please click here for further information on SWW/BW design

Stage 3 - Adoption Agreement

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. 

Please click here to view the Model Water Adoption Agreement

Please click here for further information

Stage 4 - Construct water mains

Once the design has been approved, the agreement has been signed by all parties and the relevent fees have been paid, you will be able to commence contruction of the new water mains.

You will need to provide:

  • Prepare method statement and risk assessment documents.
  • Plan provision of Self-Lay Works.
  • Update Weekly Whereabouts and issue to Water Company.

Self-Lay Works should be carried out in accordance with the accepted design Water Company published Design and Construction Specification and the Water Adoption Agreement.

Please click here for further information

Stage 5 - Connect mains

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.

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

SLP to make connection
Complete SL-N2B Notification of proposed routine mains connection
If the SLP is accredited for construction of routine mains connections (CRMC) submit CRMC paperwork. 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.

OR

South West Water / Bournemouth Water to make the connection
Complete SL-N2A Request for South West Water to make a mains connection
If the SLP is not accredited for CRMC, or is classed as high risk, submit the notification form for  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.

Click here for more information when the SLP makes the final connection

Click here for more information when SWW/BW makes the final connection

Stage 6 - Vest new mains and defects

All information relative to Vesting should have been submitted by the SLP in Stage 5 - Connect to mains.

Once completed, we will:

  • Declare the Self-Laid Main vested from the date of Final Connection.
  • Take responsibility for the maintenance of the Adopted Self-Laid Main, which now forms part of the Network.
  • Update asset records internally to reflect transfer of ownership and responsibility.

Note: If designed by SLP – please notify Fire Authority of connected hydrants and copy in the South West Water / Bournemouth Water.

Finally, we will carry out a site walk off with you and advise if any follow up work is required at that stage or the final site walk off.  At the end of the maintenance period, if any defects are identified, we will agree who will complete the work in accordance with the Water Adoption Agreement.

Click here for further information

Stage 7 - Make service Connections

You will need to notify us of your intention to connect a service pipe to an Adopted Self-Laid Main using SL-N4 Notification of proposed service connection


Once the SLP makes the connection, fits the meter, please send  the connection notification to us using SL-N5 Self lay notification of completed service connection(s)

All Service Pipe connections are to be notified by the SLP in accordance with the WIRS requirements and relative to Water Regulation inspections to allow witness and / or audit by the Water Company at its discretion or alternatively submit paperwork according to an Approved Plumbers Scheme.

Please click here for further information

How to notify us

Schedule of permissible materials and construction arrangements

Codes for Adoption

What are 'Codes for Adoption' ?

 

The Water Act 2014 introduced changes to the Water Industry Act 1991 (WIA91) requiring Ofwat to issue statutory codes for adoption agreements. These are the agreements that developers or self-lay providers (SLPs) enter into when they want an appointed water or sewerage company to take over responsibility for infrastructure they have constructed. They are the agreements entered under section 51A WIA91 for water infrastructure.

 

The codes were introduced by Ofwat to ensure a consistent approach in the sector, that developers, new appointees and SLPs, are provided with confidence that they will receive the services they want from water companies to enable their own business in providing contestable services.

 

The water code documentation was approved by Ofwat in September 2020. The approved set of documents can be found below and also on the Water UK website.

 

Codes for adoption will go-live from 1 January 2021.

 

In preparation, all water companies are required to publish certain documents.

 

We are pleased to share our documentation below, which we will continue to add over the coming weeks.

 

Design and Construction Specification (DCS)

The South West Water Draft Design and Construction Specification can be found here.

 

Local Practices

The DCS allows South West Water to introduce a local practice in certain permitted areas where our operational requirements are not adequately covered in the document. Our draft local practices are contained within the Design and Construction specification and highlighted blue. If you have any thoughts/comments on them, which you want to discuss, please email them to developerservicesselflay@southwestwater.co.uk .  We will then publish our finalised version by the 1st January 2021.

 

Annual Contestability Summary (ACS)

The connection work that is open to competition is known as “contestable” work. This category includes the majority of work a Developer needs to serve a new development and includes all work to lay and test new mains and services. Water Companies have a responsibility to maintain wholesome water supplies to Customers, some higher risk work may be defined as “non-contestable” and can normally only be carried out by the Water Company itself.

 

We will publish our ACS each year and evolve the document to enable further contestability each year.

 

View our Annual contestability table.

Contacting the Team

Our day to day contact for Self-Lay sites is Suzanne File or Anita Atkins – they can be contacted on either 0800 083 1821 Or email us.

Should you wish to escalate an issue please contact:

Alison Elliott
Adoptions Manager
South West Water
Peninsula House
Rydon Lane
Exeter EX2 7HR

Or email us.

Should you wish to arrange a free call back or make a complaint please click here.

Applications and agreements made prior to the 1st January 2021

Flowchart and charges

Information on our Developer Services Charging Arrangements can be found here.

 

Please view our Flowchart - Self Lay of water mains and services

Design Principles

To assist with the installation of water mains and services, Water UK and the Homebuilders Federation (HBF) have agreed best practice principles for the design of on-site water mains constructed specifically for the purpose of new water connections to new build premises.

Please click here for more information and search for 'Water mains - best practice design principles'.

Standard details:

Standard detail - Sluice Valve 

Standard detail - Through Bore Hydrant

Should you wish to discuss these requirements, please contact the team.

Application Form

You can apply for a self lay provision using our Application Form.

Please complete all sections and provide the information requested so that your application can be processed as quickly and accurately as possible.

Schedule of Permissible Materials and Construction Arrangements

Contestable List

Below is an extract from the Self lay Code of Practice Version 3.1 – dated May 2017 to cover the non-contestable activity.

The Water Company should allow the SLP to do all elements of work to provide water supplies to New Developments other than those defined as non-contestable in Table 1.

Table 1: Non-contestable activities in the design and construction of water mains and services

DESIGN
Design work for network reinforcement
Sizing pipes - Water Companies retain responsibility for this part of the design work (See Sections 3.5.3 and 3.6.3)
DESIGN APPROVAL
Approving on-site water distribution designs (except where self-certification arrangements are in place)
INSTALLATION
Network reinforcement works (i.e. to secure an adequate supply to the site) whose construction heightens the risk of damage to existing water distribution systems or interrupting supplies to existing customers.  (See note below)
Mains connections that involve heightened risk to existing assets or could affect supplies to existing customers.  (See note below)
Source of water connection to Water Companies' existing assets
Service connections larger than 63mm diameter.
Service connections less than 63mm on existing mains where the Water Company assess that the condition of the main or the material heightens the risk to existing assets or could affect supplies to existing customers. (See note below)
COMMISSIONING
Decommissioning redundant mains following a diversion.


Note - Restrictions on SLPs undertaking work apply when the Water Company assesses that the construction works significantly heightens either the risk of damage being caused to their assets.

Should you wish to discuss these requirements, please contact the team.

How to notify us

Our Performance

Levels of Service
Our minimum standard for delivery will be in accordance with the Water UK Levels of Service.

 

Metric 

Target Timescale (days) 

Pre-development enquiry – reports issued

21

 

 
Redress - Adoption of clean water assets

Although we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our SLP customers, on occasion we may fall short.
For further information on these standards and to see our performance please click here.

Metric 

Target Timescale (days) 

Form of Redress

Self-lay point of connection -written acknowledgements issued within a period of 5 days commencing on the day after receipt confirming either that the application is completed or if not , requesting the missing information.  5 Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps
Self-lay Point of Connection reports <500 plots etc. - reports issued. Report to be issued within 21 days commencing on either (i) on the day after receipt of a full application or (ii) the day after the required information has been provided .   An application is full when all the required information and any required payment have been received .  A Pock enquiry includes any necessary modelling work.   21 Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £120 
Self-lay Point of connection reports >500 plots etc. - reports issued .Report to be issued within 28 days commencing on either (i) on the day after receipt of a full application or (ii) the day after the required information has been provided.  An application is full when all the required information and any required payment have been received   A PoC enquiry includes any necessary modelling work.  28 Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £120 
Self-lay design approval and terms request application - written acknowledgements . Issued within a period of 5 days commencing on the after receipt confirming either that the application is complete or if not ,requesting the missing information.  5 Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps 
Self-lay and terms requesting <500 plots etc. quotations. Written terms to be issued within a period of 14 days commencing on the day after receipt of as full application.  An application is full when all the required information has been received. Terms include the design approval ,the amount of the asset payment and any amount to be paid by the SLP or Developer . A self-lay Adoption Agreement is to be issued with the terms. Rejections should fully document the reason for the rejection.  14 Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £180
Self-lay and terms requesting >500 plots etc. quotations. written terms to be issued within a period of 14 days commencing on the day after receipt of a full application.  An application is full when all the required information has been received. Terms include the design approval ,the amount of the asset payment and any amount to be paid by the SLP or Developer . A self-lay Adoption Agreement is to be issued with the terms. Rejections should fully document the reason for the rejection.  28 Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £180 
Self-lay signed agreement - acknowledgements. Issued within a period of days commencing on the day after receipt of the signed agreement  5 Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps 
Self-lay water for pressure/bacteriological testing - provided. Provide a source of supply for pressure and bacteriological testing within (i) 28 days commencing on the day after receipt of a written request or 9ii0 such longer period as may be agreed with the SLP where there are engineering difficulties /requirements for off-site reinforcement/Schedule 13 WIA 1991 constraints or where the SLP requests an extended period.  28 £100 for each week up to a £2000 limit
Self-lay permanent water supply - provided. Provide a permanent supply connection within 14 days commencing on the day following notification in writing of satisfactory pressure and bacteriological testing of the self-lay mains.  14 £100 for each week up to a £2000 limit
Self-lay vesting certificates - issued . Issue vesting certificate and all information for Asset Payments claim (including on part constructed work) within 7 days commencing on the day following notification that the section of main has been connected.  7 Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £90
Self-lay Asset Payments - issued. Make Asset Payment due on all sections of connected mains within 35 days commencing on the day following receipt of a valid invoice claim by the SLP.  35 £100 (one off payment)
 Self-lay plot references and costing details. Issue plot reference information and costing details within 14 days commencing on the day following written notification of (service) connections call-off by the SLP. Costing details to specify all charges payable on each service connection, including infrastructure charges and the cost associated with the provision of meters and any fittings procured from the water company.  14 Refund of that element of the application fee up to a maximum of £11

When financial redress is applicable, payments will be sent back to customer who paid for the service within 60 days of the Levels of Service being published on Water UK’s website.

The redress scheme is a temporary arrangement, in line with the requirements of Ofwat's Code for Adoption Agreements. We are working with Water UK and all other companies to determine appropriate and consistent redress arrangements across the sector.

We will update our website on completion of this work.

Redress - Adoption of waste water assets

Although we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our SLP customers, on occasion we may fall short.

Metric 

Target Timescale (days) 

Form of Redress

Report on the number of written acknowledgements within target  14 Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps
Technical vetting - number of applications responded to in the period  28 (note S5.1 is including in this timescale) Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps
Technical vetting - number of applications responded to in the period extended by agreement  as agreed Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps
Legal agreements sent within period of target.  14 Contact from the Developer Services team to agree next steps

The redress scheme is a temporary arrangement, in line with the requirements of Ofwat's Code for Adoption Agreements. We are working with Water UK and all other companies to determine appropriate and consistent redress arrangements across the sector.

We will update our website on completion of this work.