Building over a Public Sewer - United Utilities · building standards (outlined in H4 Building Regulations) you will need our permission to build over or within 3 metres of the centreline

Building over a Public Sewer

2 United Utilities Build over a Public Sewer Guidance United Utilities Build over a Public Sewer Guidance 3

Why do I need permission to build over or near to a public sewer?If your development is subject to nationalbuilding standards (outlined in H4 BuildingRegulations) you will need our permission to buildover or within 3 metres of the centreline of apublic sewer.If this is the case your appointed building controlbody (either an independent Approved Inspectoror an inspector from Local Authority BuildingControl department) will contact us. This isusually quite late on in the development process(after planning permission has been granted) andtherefore we would encourage you to speak tous early so that there are no hold ups when youapply for your building regulations approval.There are a few different options to help yougain our permission depending on what you arebuilding and how big or deep the sewers close toyour building are.This guide will explain the different approachesavailable to you and help you follow the correctprocess.United Utilities have a protocol agreement witha number of Building Control Bodies across theregion which allows them to act on our behalffor sign-off on some projects. Most residentialextensions will be covered by this protocol. Weare also signed up to a national approach (withother sewer companies) for smaller/shallowersewers that may allow an automatic approval toyour proposals if they meet certain criteria, werefer to this as the declaration of works process.Finally we have our enquiry process for thelarger deeper sewers. This guide will explain thedifferent approaches available to you and helpyou follow the correct process.We’re responsible for public sewers in our areaand many of these cross private land. We needto be sure that your proposals will not affect orour ability to operate and maintain the sewer andthere will be no impact to the customers who areserved by it.

What else should I consider if I want to build over or near to a public sewer?Protective strip A protective strip is the area 3 metres eitherside of the centreline of a sewer pipe as detailedin Building Regulations. The size and depth ofthe pipe and the size of your development willdetermine if you need our permission to build inthis area.In all cases, consideration should be given toavoid building in the protective strip.

Easements Some pipes are protected by legal ‘easements’.If an easement exists on a pipe that crosses yourland this should be included in your propertydeeds and you should have been made aware ofthis when you purchased your property.Easements exist to make sure we can effectivelyoperate and maintain our pipes. The terms ofthe agreement will usually detail any conditionsassociated with building within the easementarea. It is United Utilities policy to honour theterms of such agreements.

DiversionsDiverting a public sewer is usually more desirablethan having a building constructed over it. Thismeans that the sewer can always be accessed formaintenance and repair should a defect occur andalso reduce the impact on your building.A land owner has the right to request that asewer is diverted from their land to facilitate theirdevelopment however they would be responsiblefor all costs associated with the diversion.

For further information on sewer diversionsthen please visit: unitedutilities.com/sewer-diversion.aspx

Contents Welcome Why do I need permission to build over or near to a public sewer? 3

What else should I consider if I want to build over or near to a public sewer? 3

Who is responsible for the sewers that cross my land? 4 - 5

Working with Building Control Bodies through our ‘Building Over Protocol’ 6 - 7

What is our Protocol? Am I in a ‘protocol’ area? Is my development covered by the Protocol? My building is exempt from building regulations, what should I do?

Declaration of works 8

Enquiring to build over or near to a public sewer 8 - 10

Piling over public sewers Build Over Submission Check List

FAQ’s 11 - 13

Glossary of Terms 14

Welcome to our building over a public sewer guide. Here you will find information on what you should do to request permission for building over or near to a public sewer, along with helpful scenarios and frequently asked questions.

This guide only focusses on building over public sewers or drains. We do not allow building over water mains. If you are planning a new development or extending an existing property and believe you may be in close proximity to or building over a public sewer then our Wastewater Developer Services team are here to help! There may be situations where building over a sewer is not possible however this guide aims to give you all the relevant facts and information you need before enquiring about building over. Don’t worry, everything you need is in this guide!

2 United Utilities Build over a Public Sewer Guidance

Contents

Welcome to our building over a public sewer guide. Here you will find information on what you should do to request permission for building over or near to a public sewer, along with helpful scenarios and frequently asked questions.

This guide only focusses on building overpublic sewers or drains. We do not allowbuilding over water mains.If you are planning a new developmentor extending an existing property andbelieve you may be in close proximity toor building over a public sewer then ourWastewater Developer Services teamare here to help!There may be situations where buildingover a sewer is not possible however thisguide aims to give you all the relevantfacts and information you need beforeenquiring about building over.Don’t worry, everything you need is inthis guide!

WelcomeWhy do I need permission to build over or near to a public sewer? 3

What else should I consider if I want to build over or near to a public sewer? 3

Who is responsible for the sewers that cross my land? 4 - 5

Working with Building Control Bodies through our ‘Building Over Protocol’ 6 - 7

What is our Protocol?Am I in a ‘protocol’ area?Is my development covered by the Protocol?My building is exempt from building regulations, what should I do?

Declaration of works 8

Enquiring to build over or near to a public sewer 8 - 10

Piling over public sewersBuild Over Submission Check List

FAQ’s 11 - 13

Glossary of Terms 14

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Why do I needpermission to buildover or near to a publicsewer? If your development is subject to national building standards (outlined in H4 Building Regulations) you will need our permission to build over or within 3 metres of the centreline of apublic sewer. If this is the case your appointed building control body (either an independent Approved Inspector or an inspector from Local Authority Building Control department) will contact us. This is usually quite late on in the development process(after planning permission has been granted) andtherefore we would encourage you to speak to us early so that there are no hold ups when you apply for your building regulations approval. There are a few different options to help you gain our permission depending on what you are building and how big or deep the sewers close toyour building are. This guide will explain the different approachesavailable to you and help you follow the correct process.United Utilities have a protocol agreement witha number of Building Control Bodies across the region which allows them to act on our behalffor sign-off on some projects. Most residential extensions will be covered by this protocol. We are also signed up to a national approach (with other sewer companies) for smaller/shallower sewers that may allow an automatic approval toyour proposals if they meet certain criteria, we refer to this as the declaration of works process. Finally we have our enquiry process for the larger deeper sewers. This guide will explain thedifferent approaches available to you and help you follow the correct process. We’re responsible for public sewers in our area and many of these cross private land. We need to be sure that your proposals will not affect or our ability to operate and maintain the sewer andthere will be no impact to the customers who areserved by it.

What else should Iconsider if I want to buildover or near to a publicsewer? Protective stripA protective strip is the area 3 metres eitherside of the centreline of a sewer pipe as detailedin Building Regulations. The size and depth of the pipe and the size of your development will determine if you need our permission to build in this area.In all cases, consideration should be given toavoid building in the protective strip.

Easements Some pipes are protected by legal ‘easements’. If an easement exists on a pipe that crosses your land this should be included in your property deeds and you should have been made aware of this when you purchased your property. Easements exist to make sure we can effectively operate and maintain our pipes. The terms ofthe agreement will usually detail any conditionsassociated with building within the easementarea. It is United Utilities policy to honour theterms of such agreements.

DiversionsDiverting a public sewer is usually more desirable than having a building constructed over it. Thismeans that the sewer can always be accessed for maintenance and repair should a defect occur and also reduce the impact on your building. A land owner has the right to request that asewer is diverted from their land to facilitate their development however they would be responsiblefor all costs associated with the diversion.

For further information on sewer diversions then please visit: unitedutilities.com/sewer-diversion.aspx

United Utilities Build over a Public Sewer Guidance 3

https://unitedutilities.com/sewer-diversion.aspx


Private drain (responsibility of home owner)

Shared sewer pipe/pipe beyond the property boundary (responsibility of United Utilities if theproperty was constructed and connected to the public sewer prior to 1st July 2011)

Public sewer (responsibility of United Utilities)

Boundary

Key

Typical sewer pipe responsibilty

You can find more information on sewersand drains at our website unitedutilities.com/sewers-and-drains-explained.aspx

What am I responsible for? You are responsible for the pipes, gutters anddrains in and around your home, including thedrains from your property up to your boundary. Ifyou have a problem with these, you’ll need to calla plumber (it’s worth checking your insurance firstas you may be covered for the cost of repair).If your property was built after June 2011, it’s likelythat United Utilities will only be responsible for thered sewers shown on the map below.

What is United Utilities responsible for?If your property was built and occupied beforeJuly 2011 then the pipes that are highlightedin light blue on the diagram below will be theresponsibility of United Utilities. These pipesusually drain more than one property andconnect the private sewers and drains to thepublic sewer network.

What is your local authority responsible for?Local Authorities are responsible for roadgullies; small grate-covered openings at theedge of roads, used to drain surface water fromthe highway.

Build over agreements If we agree to you building over or within 3 metres (of the centreline) of a public sewer, then the permission will be subject to certain checks, conditions and possibly a legal ‘Building Over Agreement’ between the land owner and United Utilities. A Building Over Agreement is a legal document which is usually put in place to protect our larger or deeper sewers. This is not a legal requirement but is a condition of our permission when the development might have a more significant impact on our pipes and therefore makes sure that we can access the pipe if something goes wrong. A build over agreement will place onerous conditions on the land owner and independent legal advice should be sought before entering into such agreements. There are legal and administration fees associated with entering into a “Building Over Agreement”. Details of these charges can be found on our charges page.

? Who is responsible for the sewers that cross my land? From 1 October 2011, changes to the law meant that United Utilities, along with all other water and sewerage companies across England and Wales, took on responsibility for the majority of private sewers and lateral drains (drains located outside the boundary of your property) laid and being used before July 2011. Previously, these pipes were the responsibility of the owners of the property to which the pipes were connected to. The aim of the transfer was to remove the burden of costly maintenance and confusing responsibilities from our customers whose homes are served by these sewers and drains. If you think there might be a pipe crossing your land we recommend you contact our Property Searches team on 0370 751 0101 to understand what it is. Please be aware that due to the private sewer transfer, not all sewers will be displayed on the maps. The diagram on page 5 should help to explain who is responsible for the sewer pipes. Alternatively you can review our sewer records at your Local Authority offices, or you can book an appointment to view our sewer and water records at our offices at Lingley Mere Business Park, Lingley Green Avenue, Warrington WA5 3LP.



Build over agreementsIf we agree to you building over or within3 metres (of the centreline) of a public sewer,then the permission will be subject to certainchecks, conditions and possibly a legal ‘BuildingOver Agreement’ between the land owner andUnited Utilities.A Building Over Agreement is a legal documentwhich is usually put in place to protect our largeror deeper sewers. This is not a legal requirementbut is a condition of our permission when thedevelopment might have a more significantimpact on our pipes and therefore makes surethat we can access the pipe if something goeswrong. A build over agreement will place onerousconditions on the land owner and independentlegal advice should be sought before entering intosuch agreements.There are legal and administration fees associatedwith entering into a “Building Over Agreement”.Details of these charges can be found on ourcharges page.

?Who is responsible for the sewers that cross my land?From 1 October 2011, changes to the lawmeant that United Utilities, along with allother water and sewerage companies acrossEngland and Wales, took on responsibilityfor the majority of private sewers and lateraldrains (drains located outside the boundaryof your property) laid and being used beforeJuly 2011. Previously, these pipes were theresponsibility of the owners of the property towhich the pipes were connected to.The aim of the transfer was to remove theburden of costly maintenance and confusingresponsibilities from our customers whosehomes are served by these sewers and drains.If you think there might be a pipe crossingyour land we recommend you contact ourProperty Searches team on 0370 751 0101to understand what it is. Please be awarethat due to the private sewer transfer, not allsewers will be displayed on the maps.The diagram on page 5 should help to explainwho is responsible for the sewer pipes.Alternatively you can review our sewerrecords at your Local Authority offices, or youcan book an appointment to view our sewerand water records at our offices at LingleyMere Business Park, Lingley Green Avenue,Warrington WA5 3LP.

►

What am I responsible for? You are responsible for the pipes, gutters and drains in and around your home, including the drains from your property up to your boundary. If you have a problem with these, you’ll need to call a plumber (it’s worth checking your insurance first as you may be covered for the cost of repair). If your property was built after June 2011, it’s likely that United Utilities will only be responsible for the red sewers shown on the map below.

Typical sewer pipe responsibilty

What is United Utilities responsible for? If your property was built and occupied before July 2011 then the pipes that are highlighted in light blue on the diagram below will be the responsibility of United Utilities. These pipes usually drain more than one property and connect the private sewers and drains to the public sewer network.

What is your local authority responsible for? Local Authorities are responsible for road gullies; small grate-covered openings at the edge of roads, used to drain surface water from the highway.

Flats/apartments DetachedTerrace

Public Highway

Semi-detached

Footpath

Property boundary

Key Private drain (responsibility of home owner)

Shared sewer pipe/pipe beyond the property boundary (responsibility of United Utilities if the property was constructed and connected to the public sewer prior to 1st July 2011)

Public sewer (responsibility of United Utilities)

Boundary

You can find more information on sewers and drains at our website unitedutilities. com/sewers-and-drains-explained.aspx


https://www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/wastewater-services/sewers-and-drains-explained/


Is my development covered by the Protocol?Your development will be covered by the Protocolagreement if you can answer ‘yes’ to all of thequestions below.

If you have answered ‘no’ to any of the abovequestions you will need to submit an enquiry to us(see page 8 for guidance). Your build will not becovered under the Protocol.If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of these questionsall you need to do is simply apply for yourbuilding regulations with your LABC departmentor Approved Inspector. Information regardingbuilding control bodies can be found either in theYellow Pages or via an internet search.When you work with building control; if they aresatisfied with your proposals and it fits our criteria,they will approve this on United Utilities’ behalfand you will not have to contact us for furtherapproval.

Due to the transfer of private sewers not all sewersare mapped on the public records. The protocolallows the building inspectors to deal with mostof the types of pipes that you would expect tofind around your house however, you or yourbuilder may come across a larger or deeper pipethat is outside of the criteria (see figure 2). If thisis the case they will notify United Utilities whowill attend your site within 48 hours to discussthe proposals with you and the next steps. It islikely that further investigation and design workwill be required (at your expense) to determine itsexact location condition and to ensure that yourproposals will not affect it.

My building is exempt from building regulations, what should I do?Some structures are exempt from buildingregulations however we recommend you still talkto us about your plans. We will offer advice andask that where possible your structure complieswith the Building Regulations as we see thisas good practice which should help you avoiddamaging a sewer.Your development may fall under our Declarationof Works criteria please see page 8 for details.If a pipe is not protected properly, even from asmall conservatory or garage then any damageto it could cause your new structure to moveor subside. Furthermore, you may be liable forthe damage to the sewer if your new structureis deemed to have caused it. If we ever need torepair a defective sewer, this could even meanremoving the structure or gaining access (digging)through it.

Pipe size - Is the pipe less than 300mm indiameter Yes No

Pipe depth - Is your pipe no deeper than 3mYes No

Size of Development - Is the length of yournew building (over the sewer) smaller than 12mYes No

12m

3m

For more information on whichbuildings are exempt, please visit theGovernment Planning Portal by goingto www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations

Figure 2

Working with Building Control Bodies through our ‘Building Over Protocol’ What is our Protocol? We are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and following the private sewer transfer in 2011, we teamed up with the majority of local councils (see map opposite for information) and Approved Inspectors to create our Protocol to offer customers a a faster, more efficient service when they come to build. Our Protocol gives building control bodies the authority to approve potential build overs on our behalf; within specific criteria (see figure 1). We are currently the only water company in the UK that offers this service. During and after construction a building control body is required to confirm that the work complies with national building standards (outlined in H4 Building Regulations). The customer can choose whether to use a Local Authority Building Control (LABC) department or an independent Approved Inspector to make this assessment.

Am I in a ‘protocol’ area? If your council is listed opposite, they are not in our Protocol but you may be able to use our Declaration of Works process (see page 8 for more information). Not all local councils are in the protocol with United Utilities, but most are. You can check the map opposite to see if your local council is or, if you have chosen to use an independent approved inspector then they will be able to tell you if they are in the protocol or not. If the council or approved inspector is not in the protocol then they will just have to consult with us with your plans of how you intend to protect the public sewer and your building from the sewer (should it ever collapse).

Council areas that are not in the Protocol

Ellesmere Port & Neston

South Ribble

Pendle

Ribble Valley

Fylde

Blackpool

Chester

Crewe & Nantwich

Congleton

Wyre

Lancaster

Barrow

South Lakeland

Copeland

Allerdale

Eden

Carlisle

Chorley Rossendale

Preston

Blackburn

Hyndburn

Knowsley St Helens

Sefton

Liverpool

Wirral

Halton

Warrington

Wigan

Vale Royal Macclesfield

High Peak

Craven

Newcastle-under-Lyme

North Shropshire

Staffordshire Moorlands

Bolton Bury

Salford

Trafford

Oldham

Tameside

Stockport Manchester

West Lancashire

• Carlisle• Allerdale

Figure 1

• Eden• Copeland• South Lakeland• Barrow• Tameside• High Peak• Staffordshire Moorlands



Ellesmere Port& Neston

South Ribble

Pendle

Ribble Valley

Fylde

Blackpool

Chester

Crewe &Nantwich

Congleton

Wyre

Lancaster

Barrow

South Lakeland

Copeland

Allerdale

Eden

Carlisle

ChorleyRossendale

Preston

Blackburn

Hyndburn

Knowsley St Helens

Sefton

Liverpool

Wirral

Halton

Warrington

Wigan

Vale RoyalMacclesfield

High Peak

Craven

Newcastle-under-Lyme

North Shropshire

StaffordshireMoorlands

Bolton Bury

Salford

Trafford

Oldham

Tameside

StockportManchester

West Lancashire

Working with Building Control Bodies through our ‘Building Over Protocol’What is our Protocol?We are dedicated to delivering exceptionalcustomer service and following the private sewertransfer in 2011, we teamed up with the majority oflocal councils (see map opposite for information)and Approved Inspectors to create our Protocol tooffer customers a a faster, more efficient servicewhen they come to build.Our Protocol gives building control bodies theauthority to approve potential build overs on ourbehalf; within specific criteria (see figure 1). Weare currently the only water company in the UKthat offers this service.During and after construction a building controlbody is required to confirm that the work complieswith national building standards (outlined in H4Building Regulations). The customer can choosewhether to use a Local Authority Building Control(LABC) department or an independent ApprovedInspector to make this assessment.

Am I in a ‘protocol’ area?If your council is listed opposite, they are notin our Protocol but you may be able to use ourDeclaration of Works process (see page 8 for moreinformation).Not all local councils are in the protocol withUnited Utilities, but most are. You can check themap opposite to see if your local council is or, ifyou have chosen to use an independent approvedinspector then they will be able to tell you if theyare in the protocol or not.If the council or approved inspector is not in theprotocol then they will just have to consult withus with your plans of how you intend to protectthe public sewer and your building from the sewer(should it ever collapse).

• Carlisle• Allerdale• Eden• Copeland• South Lakeland• Barrow• Tameside• High Peak• Staffordshire Moorlands

Council areas that are not in the Protocol

Figure 1

□ □ l

□□ ( )

□ □

Is my development covered by the Protocol? Your development will be covered by the Protocol agreement if you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the questions below.

Figure 2

Pipe size - Is the pipe less than 300mm in diameter Yes No

3m

Pipe depth - Is your pipe no deeper than 3m Yes No

12m

Size of Development - Is the length of your new building (over the sewer) smaller than 12m Yes No

If you have answered ‘no’ to any of the above questions you will need to submit an enquiry to us (see page 8 for guidance). Your build will not be covered under the Protocol. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of these questions all you need to do is simply apply for your building regulations with your LABC department or Approved Inspector. Information regarding building control bodies can be found either in the Yellow Pages or via an internet search. When you work with building control; if they are satisfied with your proposals and it fits our criteria, they will approve this on United Utilities’ behalf and you will not have to contact us for further approval.

Due to the transfer of private sewers not all sewers are mapped on the public records. The protocol allows the building inspectors to deal with most of the types of pipes that you would expect to find around your house however, you or your builder may come across a larger or deeper pipe that is outside of the criteria (see figure 2). If this is the case they will notify United Utilities who will attend your site within 48 hours to discuss the proposals with you and the next steps. It is likely that further investigation and design work will be required (at your expense) to determine its exact location condition and to ensure that your proposals will not affect it.

My building is exempt from building regulations, what should I do? Some structures are exempt from building regulations however we recommend you still talk to us about your plans. We will offer advice and ask that where possible your structure complies with the Building Regulations as we see this as good practice which should help you avoid damaging a sewer. Your development may fall under our Declaration of Works criteria please see page 8 for details. If a pipe is not protected properly, even from a small conservatory or garage then any damage to it could cause your new structure to move or subside. Furthermore, you may be liable for the damage to the sewer if your new structure is deemed to have caused it. If we ever need to repair a defective sewer, this could even mean removing the structure or gaining access (digging) through it.

For more information on which buildings are exempt, please visit the Government Planning Portal by going to www.planningportal.gov.uk/ buildingregulations


www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations


A number of providers offer a paid for mappingservice including United Utilities. To find outhow to purchase a sewer and water plan fromUnited Utilities, please visit the Property Searcheswebsite: unitedutilities.com/property-searchesYou can also view the plans for free. To makean appointment to view our sewer records atyour local authority please contact them direct,alternatively if you wish to view the water and thesewer records at our Lingley Mere offices based inWarrington please ring 0370 751 0101 to book anappointment.Due to the public sewer transfer in 2011, not allsewers are currently shown on the statutory sewerrecords and we do not always show private pipeson our plans.Please be aware that these records will only giveyou an indication of the presence of a sewer, asyou are considering building over or near to asewer you will need to determine its exact position(depth and proximity to your proposed building).You cannot produce a full design or plan until youknow the exact location of the sewer.You cannot build over a sewer that is in poorcondition. Therefore you must provide a CCTVsurvey and copy of the report provided by thesurveyors when you submit your enquiry to buildover or close to a public sewer.It is likely the same specialist drainage contractorwho locates and trace the line of the sewer willalso provide this service for you.

Please note, United Utilities do not currently offer any design services.

Plan showing proposed building work

1.

Extension

Lintels over Sewer

Sewer PipeExisting Manhole

Existing House

Cross section through foundations and sewer showing protective measures

3. Photo of Lintel over sewer pipe

Cross section drawing on Lintel construction

Public Sewer

Granular pipe bed and min 50mm clearance around pipe

Lintel over Sewer

Location Plan (not to scale)

2.

N

STEP 3: Produce location and foundation plansYou may need the help of an architect or aconsulting structural or civil engineer so thatwe can clearly see on a plan what protectionmeasures you have considered for the sewer andyour building. This will help you make sure thatyour proposals meet the requirements of theBuilding Regulations which include guidance onhow to protect the sewer (Part H4) and how toprotect your building from the sewer, should itever fail (Parts A2 & A3). They should be familiarwith the regulations and be able to help you makea compliant submission.The plan must be drawn to scale, showing thebuilding outline and the exact position of thepublic sewer(s) in relation to it.The plans must comply with the guidance thatsupports the relevant Building Regulations,specifically the foundation details and how thesewer and building are protected from each other.A cross section of the sewer and buildings alsoneeds to be provided see figures 3 & 4.

Declaration of works Most residential extensions will be covered by our Protocol agreement with local councils and Approved Building Control Inspectors. However if you are not in a protocol area, not using an approved inspector that is signed up to the protocol or are building something that is not subject to the Building Regulations (some conservatories etc.) then you may be able to utilise our declaration of works procedure. This process can be followed in some very specific circumstances to allow you to gain consent from us. You will need to complete a checklist and declaration about your development including your foundation plans, the type, size, location, access and condition of the sewers. You may need the support of a competent architect, engineer, builder or surveyor to answer some of these questions correctly. The full criteria is explained clearly within our declaration of Works Pack which is available on our website at http://www.unitedutilities.com/ build-over-sewer.aspx Once you have completed the declaration and submitted it to us, we will respond within 14 days detailing the next steps you need to take.

SAFETY IN SEWERS The Health and Safety of workers on the Public Sewer Network is our number one priority. As a minimum requirement, workers carrying out sewer construction on the public sewer must hold a current City and Guilds or SQA standard or CABWI Level 2 Award Certificate for Working in Medium or High Risk Confined Spaces in the Water Industry. In addition, those carrying out the work must be suitably experienced.

For access to work on our sewer network, please see our website www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/ for more information on what you need to do.

Only Intrinsically Safe CCTV equipment EX can be used in public sewers

Enquiring to build over or near to a public sewer If your building isn’t covered by the Protocol or the declaration of works procedure (see page 6) you will need to apply directly to us. Your enquiry might not be covered under the protocol if the pipe is too big, too deep or a significant amount of the pipe will be covered. It might also be as simple as your chosen Building Control Body (Local Authority or Approved Inspector) has not signed up to our Protocol. If you need to contact us directly for us to assess your enquiry, you should complete the following actions:

STEP 1: Fill in building over enquiry form(see page 15) Please answer all questions on the enquiry form

STEP 2: Locate the exact position of the sewerYou may need the services of a specialist drainage contractor who will be able to locate and trace the line of the sewer for you. This information can then be passed to your Architect or Engineer to refine your design proposals and make sure that they comply with Building Regulations. It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate the exact relationship between any United Utilities’ assets and the proposed development.

Example of a a drainage survey Pipe in good condition no defects or cracks, water flowing freely

Pipe in poor condition, cracks, collapsing change in shape. This cannot be built over or near to

Please note, United Utilities do not currently provide a sewer location or sewer CCTV service.


http://www.unitedutilities.com/build-over-sewer.aspx

www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/

www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/


Declaration of works Most residential extensions will be coveredby our Protocol agreement with local councilsand Approved Building Control Inspectors.However if you are not in a protocol area, notusing an approved inspector that is signed upto the protocol or are building something thatis not subject to the Building Regulations (someconservatories etc.) then you may be able to utiliseour declaration of works procedure.This process can be followed in some veryspecific circumstances to allow you to gainconsent from us.You will need to complete a checklist anddeclaration about your development includingyour foundation plans, the type, size, location,access and condition of the sewers. You may needthe support of a competent architect, engineer,builder or surveyor to answer some of thesequestions correctly.The full criteria is explained clearly within ourdeclaration of Works Pack which is available onour website at http://www.unitedutilities.com/build-over-sewer.aspxOnce you have completed the declaration andsubmitted it to us, we will respond within 14 daysdetailing the next steps you need to take.

Enquiring to build over or near to a public sewer If your building isn’t covered by the Protocol or thedeclaration of works procedure (see page 6) youwill need to apply directly to us.Your enquiry might not be covered under theprotocol if the pipe is too big, too deep or asignificant amount of the pipe will be covered. Itmight also be as simple as your chosen BuildingControl Body (Local Authority or ApprovedInspector) has not signed up to our Protocol.If you need to contact us directly for us to assessyour enquiry, you should complete the followingactions:

STEP 1: Fill in building over enquiry form(see page 15)Please answer all questions on the enquiry form

STEP 2: Locate the exact position of the sewerYou may need the services of a specialist drainagecontractor who will be able to locate and trace theline of the sewer for you. This information can thenbe passed to your Architect or Engineer to refineyour design proposals and make sure that theycomply with Building Regulations.It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstratethe exact relationship between any United Utilities’assets and the proposed development.

Example of a a drainage survey

Please note, United Utilities do not currently provide a sewer location or sewer CCTV service.

Pipe in poor condition, cracks, collapsing change in shape. This cannot be built over or near to

Pipe in good condition no defects or cracks, water flowing freely

SAFETY IN SEWERSThe Health and Safety of workers on the Public SewerNetwork is our number one priority. As a minimumrequirement, workers carrying out sewer constructionon the public sewer must hold a current City and Guildsor SQA standard or CABWI Level 2 Award Certificatefor Working in Medium or High Risk Confined Spacesin the Water Industry. In addition, those carrying out thework must be suitably experienced.

For access to work on our sewer network, pleasesee our website www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/ for moreinformation on what you need to do.

EXOnly Intrinsically Safe CCTV equipmentcan be used in public sewers

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A number of providers offer a paid for mapping service including United Utilities. To find out how to purchase a sewer and water plan from United Utilities, please visit the Property Searches website: unitedutilities.com/property-searches You can also view the plans for free. To make an appointment to view our sewer records at your local authority please contact them direct, alternatively if you wish to view the water and the sewer records at our Lingley Mere offices based in Warrington please ring 0370 751 0101 to book an appointment. Due to the public sewer transfer in 2011, not all sewers are currently shown on the statutory sewer records and we do not always show private pipes on our plans. Please be aware that these records will only give you an indication of the presence of a sewer, as you are considering building over or near to a sewer you will need to determine its exact position (depth and proximity to your proposed building). You cannot produce a full design or plan until you know the exact location of the sewer. You cannot build over a sewer that is in poor condition. Therefore you must provide a CCTV survey and copy of the report provided by the surveyors when you submit your enquiry to build over or close to a public sewer. It is likely the same specialist drainage contractor who locates and trace the line of the sewer will also provide this service for you.

1. Existing House

Extension

Sewer PipeExisting Manhole

Lintels over Sewer

Plan showing proposed building work

Please note, United Utilities do not currently offer any design services.

STEP 3: Produce location and foundation plans You may need the help of an architect or a consulting structural or civil engineer so that we can clearly see on a plan what protection measures you have considered for the sewer and your building. This will help you make sure that your proposals meet the requirements of the Building Regulations which include guidance on how to protect the sewer (Part H4) and how to protect your building from the sewer, should it ever fail (Parts A2 & A3). They should be familiar with the regulations and be able to help you make a compliant submission. The plan must be drawn to scale, showing the building outline and the exact position of the public sewer(s) in relation to it. The plans must comply with the guidance that supports the relevant Building Regulations, specifically the foundation details and how the sewer and building are protected from each other. A cross section of the sewer and buildings also needs to be provided see figures 3 & 4.

2.

N Location Plan (not to scale)

Photo of Lintel3. over sewer pipe

Cross section drawing on Lintel construction

Lintel over Sewer

Granular pipe bed and min 50mm clearancePublic Sewer around pipe

Cross section through foundations and sewer showing protective measures


https://unitedutilities.com/property-searches

FAQ’sWhy do I need an agreement with United Utilities?United Utilities own all public sewers in our region.As we are responsible for maintaining our sewernetwork we need to make sure that building workdoes not restrict our ability to do this or causedamage to our sewers.The extra weight of a new building near to asewer can cause the sewer to collapse resultingin damage to the building and interruptingdrainage to existing properties. This can causesewer flooding both internally and externally tocustomers properties. In these circumstanceswe would need access to our sewer in order torepair it which could result in the building beingdemolished.The consultation of the sewerage company isin Building Regulations 2010 Part H4. BuildingInspectors may ask to see a copy of youragreements before they will sign off yourcompletion certificate.Copies of this document can be viewed at:www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/downloads

What is a public sewer?A sewer is a pipe that carries wastewater frommore than one property. They can be on privateor public land however they’re mostly in theownership of the local Water and SewerageCompany.

What is a lateral drain?A drain is a pipe that carries wastewater awayfrom one property. Drains belong to the owner ofthe property they are connected to.A drain is the property owner’s responsibility untilit connects to either someone else’s drain or asewer, or if it passes into somebody else’s land.Please see page 5 of this document for examples.

You must ensure that your proposals do notfully cover over a lateral drain that serves otherproperties. Building over it will remove our abilityto access and maintain that drain in the future.Nearly every property is connected to itsown private drains, and the property owner isresponsible for maintaining and repairing them.Some properties have shared drains, such as ablock of flats. Owners of these properties arejointly responsible for their drains.A lateral drain is the part of a drain which liesoutside the property boundary, and in some cases,can be located under someone else’s land or aroad. Before 1 October 2011, lateral drains were theresponsibility of the individual property owner.

What is a Build Over Agreement?There are some circumstances when we will needto arrange a formal ‘Building Over Agreement’.This is a legal document which is put in place toprotect the sewer/drain and makes sure that wecan access the pipe if something ever goes wrong.In some circumstances we may issue aretrospective Building Over Agreement if work hasalready been carried out over or close to a publicsewer. This is by exception only and where all ourcriteria has been met.

What happens if I do not apply?The absence of a Completion Certificate which isissued by your building control body at the end ofyour build, can cause some problems when tryingto sell your property. If you have not sought theproper permission from United Utilities then thebuilding control body will not be able to issue thisCertificate.


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4.

Minimum footing depth

Sewer

Sewer

Note - pile should be as far away from sewer as possible.

Pile

Piling near sewers For some deeper sewers pile foundations can be more cost effective (compared to trench fill or strip) to ensure that the load from the building is taken below the pipe. There are some very important things to consider though when piling near sewers, such as; 1. Knowing exactly where the pipe is. Even with

the sonar equipment companies use to locate pipe this might not provide pin-point accuracy of the line of a sewer. Also for sewers, the ‘sond’ that is put into the pipe might not be central therefore the reading at ground level might not be the center of the pipe. You should discuss this with your drainage contractor as damaging deep sewers can be very expensive and sometimes impossible to repair. The only way to establish the true line of the sewer would be by digging to expose the crown of the pipe. Digging near to utilities can be dangerous and should only be carried out by competent persons.

2. What ‘type’ of pile to use. There are many different types of pile available and your engineer or piling contractor will advise you on the right choice for your design but you must consider the potential impacts of it on the sewer. For example ‘driven’ piles can cause a lot of vibration in the ground and possibly damage the sewer (and other buildings). Driven piles can also cause displacement of the soil around as well as adding horizontal pressure on the pipe. Augured piles are usually preferable as this involves drilling out the ground and replacing it with a concrete pile. Sometimes the pile can be augured until past the sewer and then driven in but again your engineer or piling contractor should advise you on the best approach.

3. Your responsibility. You should ensure that you make your engineer and piling contractor aware of any sewers and other utilities (water and gas pipes). You should also be aware of who is taking responsibility for the work near to the public sewer. For example, when you sign for an order for a piling contractor, the small print may say that you are responsible for all the utilities on the site. Discuss this with contractor, sometimes they will offer to survey the sewer before and afterwards to check its condition.

Build Over Submission Check List

Enquiry Form CCTV survey

Site location and foundation plan (a further survey will be required after construction if permission is given)

Fees An administration fee of £153.00 will be payable if permission is granted by us and a build over agreement is required. There will also be legal fees payable associated with arranging the legal agreement which are £380.00 for household premises and £536.00 for non-household premises. The legal fees will be requested by our legal department when the draft agreements are issued to your legal representative.

Fees will not be payable if we object to your development.

Larger and/or deeper sewers may require more information to support your foundation design, which we will request from you following your initial enquiry. This information may need to be sent to our Civil/Geo-technical Engineers and any fees associated with checking this information will be charged ‘at cost’. Information on all of our charges can be found at unitedutilities.com/ services/builders-developers/charges-scheme

Please submit all the above information with your build over enquiry form either by email;

[email protected]

Or by post to; Developer Services, Grasmere House, 2nd Floor, Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 3LP.


mailto:[email protected]

https://www.unitedutilities.com/services/builders-developers/charges-scheme

https://www.unitedutilities.com/services/builders-developers/charges-scheme


Piling near sewersFor some deeper sewers pile foundations can bemore cost effective (compared to trench fill orstrip) to ensure that the load from the building istaken below the pipe.There are some very important things to considerthough when piling near sewers, such as;1. Knowing exactly where the pipe is. Even with

the sonar equipment companies use to locatepipe this might not provide pin-point accuracyof the line of a sewer. Also for sewers, the‘sond’ that is put into the pipe might not becentral therefore the reading at ground levelmight not be the center of the pipe. You shoulddiscuss this with your drainage contractor asdamaging deep sewers can be very expensiveand sometimes impossible to repair. The onlyway to establish the true line of the sewerwould be by digging to expose the crown of thepipe. Digging near to utilities can be dangerousand should only be carried out by competentpersons.

2. What ‘type’ of pile to use. There are manydifferent types of pile available and yourengineer or piling contractor will advise youon the right choice for your design but youmust consider the potential impacts of it on thesewer. For example ‘driven’ piles can cause a lotof vibration in the ground and possibly damagethe sewer (and other buildings). Driven piles canalso cause displacement of the soil around aswell as adding horizontal pressure on the pipe.Augured piles are usually preferable as thisinvolves drilling out the ground and replacingit with a concrete pile. Sometimes the pile canbe augured until past the sewer and then drivenin but again your engineer or piling contractorshould advise you on the best approach.

3. Your responsibility. You should ensure thatyou make your engineer and piling contractoraware of any sewers and other utilities (waterand gas pipes). You should also be aware ofwho is taking responsibility for the work near tothe public sewer. For example, when you signfor an order for a piling contractor, the smallprint may say that you are responsible for all theutilities on the site. Discuss this with contractor,sometimes they will offer to survey the sewerbefore and afterwards to check its condition.

Build Over Submission Check List

Enquiry Form CCTV survey

Site location and foundation plan(a further survey will be required afterconstruction if permission is given)

FeesAn administration fee of £153.00 will be payableif permission is granted by us and a build overagreement is required. There will also be legalfees payable associated with arranging the legalagreement which are £380.00 for householdpremises and £536.00 for non-householdpremises. The legal fees will be requested by ourlegal department when the draft agreements areissued to your legal representative.

Fees will not be payable if we object to yourdevelopment.

Larger and/or deeper sewers may require moreinformation to support your foundation design,which we will request from you following yourinitial enquiry. This information may need to besent to our Civil/Geo-technical Engineers and anyfees associated with checking this informationwill be charged ‘at cost’. Information on all of ourcharges can be found at unitedutilities.com/services/builders-developers/charges-scheme

Please submit all the above information with yourbuild over enquiry form either by email;

[email protected]

Or by post to; Developer Services,Grasmere House, 2nd Floor, Lingley GreenAvenue, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 3LP.

Minimum footing depth

Sewer

Sewer

Note - pile should be as far away from sewer as possible.

Pile

4.

FAQ’s Why do I need an agreement with United Utilities? United Utilities own all public sewers in our region. As we are responsible for maintaining our sewer network we need to make sure that building work does not restrict our ability to do this or cause damage to our sewers. The extra weight of a new building near to a sewer can cause the sewer to collapse resulting in damage to the building and interrupting drainage to existing properties. This can cause sewer flooding both internally and externally to customers properties. In these circumstances we would need access to our sewer in order to repair it which could result in the building being demolished. The consultation of the sewerage company is in Building Regulations 2010 Part H4. Building Inspectors may ask to see a copy of your agreements before they will sign off your completion certificate. Copies of this document can be viewed at: www.planningportal.gov.uk/ buildingregulations/approveddocuments/ downloads

What is a public sewer? A sewer is a pipe that carries wastewater from more than one property. They can be on private or public land however they’re mostly in the ownership of the local Water and Sewerage Company.

What is a lateral drain? A drain is a pipe that carries wastewater away from one property. Drains belong to the owner of the property they are connected to. A drain is the property owner’s responsibility until it connects to either someone else’s drain or a sewer, or if it passes into somebody else’s land. Please see page 5 of this document for examples.

You must ensure that your proposals do not fully cover over a lateral drain that serves other properties. Building over it will remove our ability to access and maintain that drain in the future. Nearly every property is connected to its own private drains, and the property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing them. Some properties have shared drains, such as a block of flats. Owners of these properties are jointly responsible for their drains. A lateral drain is the part of a drain which lies outside the property boundary, and in some cases, can be located under someone else’s land or a road. Before 1 October 2011, lateral drains were the responsibility of the individual property owner.

What is a Build Over Agreement? There are some circumstances when we will need to arrange a formal ‘Building Over Agreement’. This is a legal document which is put in place to protect the sewer/drain and makes sure that we can access the pipe if something ever goes wrong. In some circumstances we may issue a retrospective Building Over Agreement if work has already been carried out over or close to a public sewer. This is by exception only and where all our criteria has been met.

What happens if I do not apply? The absence of a Completion Certificate which is issued by your building control body at the end of your build, can cause some problems when trying to sell your property. If you have not sought the proper permission from United Utilities then the building control body will not be able to issue this Certificate.


www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/downloads


In certain circumstances, to facilitate the buildingworks and only where we classify the defectsas no immediate risk to customers, we maygrant permission for you to appoint a competentcontractor to carry out a repair. This will be atyour own expense and any permission to carry outworks would be assessed on a site by site basis.

Can I divert the sewer?We would prefer a sewer to be diverted ratherthan built over (if this is feasible) so that wecan easily access the sewer if ever needed formaintenance and repair. You need permissionto divert a public sewer and more information,including an enquiry form can be found on ourwebsite unitedutilities.com/sewer-diversion.aspx

The sewer from my property drains from my property only. Do I need permission from United Utilities?See page 5 for information on sewer responsibility.

What does the Building Regulations have to do with a sewer?The building regulations is the legislation whichstates that you need the permission of the sewerowner (in this case United Utilities) to build over orwithin 3 metres of it.Your building will have to meet these regulationsin order for your appointed building controlbody to issue with your ‘completion certificate’when you finish your works. Upon receipt of yourenquiry, you should keep a copy of this responseto your appointed building control inspector or theLocal Authority.We ask that your submission complies with thebuilding regulations guidance as it offers goodadvice around protecting drains and sewers frombuildings and also protecting buildings from drainsand sewers should they ever fail.It is essential that we see that you have fullyconsidered the sewer and how to protect it from

your building in line with these regulations thishelps us make the right decision whether we cangrant permission or not for your development tobe built.

Working on or entering the public sewer (including CCTV survey work, altering the public sewer or public sewer manholes)All of United Utilities wastewater assets fallunder the ‘Dangerous Substances and ExplosiveAtmospheres Regulations’ (DSEAR) and as suchall sewers are classed as ‘zone 2’. This means thatany CCTV survey equipment used within thesewers needs to be intrinsically safe (Ex rated)as to not cause ignition or spark in a potentiallyexplosive atmosphere.

For access to work on the public sewer network,please visit our website www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/for more information on what you need to do.

I am not sure if I am building within three metres of a public sewer what do I need to do? You may need the services of a specialist drainage contractor to determine if your build falls within 3 metres of a sewer. They will usually undertake a ‘probe and mark’ with a sonar device to plot the line of the sewer at ground level and establish its depth. United Utilities doesn’t currently offer this service however private contractors can be found using an internet search.

When will building over or close to a United Utilities asset not be allowed? We will not agree to the following being built over: • Pumping/Rising mains • Manholes • Most brick, masonry or pitch fibre sewers • Strategic Sewers (usually large diameter,

deep sewers) • Water Mains

When would your enquiry be refused? • The Build Over enquiry form is either

incomplete or information is not clear. • No location plans have been submitted with the

enquiry form. • Plans do not show the exact location of the

sewer (we need to see the position of the sewer and the flow direction in relation to the existing building and the proposed building work before any assessment can be made).

• Plans show that you wish to build over a manhole or inspection chamber.

• The enquiry is for a new dwelling built over a sewer. We would expect existing sewers to be diverted around new buildings.

• No cross section drawings have been submitted. We require this drawing if the building is over or within 3m of the sewer as we need to see how the foundations will be constructed. Cross section drawings must

show the foundation in relation to the sewer, with clearance marked and any bridging detail specified.

• Minimum clearance has not been achieved between the foundations and the pipe.

• Foundations have not been taken below the invert level of the sewer.

• Plans show that the sewer is surrounded in concrete. Pipes must be surrounded in pea gravel unless agreed otherwise.

• The proposal includes a plan to remove a critical access point or change of direction manhole.

Can I build over a manhole? We will not grant permission for new buildings (or extensions to buildings) to be built over existing access to public sewers.

Can I start work before permission is received? Building work shouldn’t start until approval has been granted. If following our assessment (or after assessment by an Inspector) your design plans need to be amended, it is more difficult to do if building work has begun. This is also likely to mean that you could incur more cost that could be avoided. Often a pre-construction CCTV survey will need to be completed to check the condition of the sewer.

What happens if the sewer is in poor condition? We will not agree to building over or near to any sewer that is in poor condition and reserve the right to withhold permission to build over until all defects are rectified. We have a responsibility to carry out repairs to defective sewers, however this work would be prioritised according to customer impact, risk and business needs. Therefore the time scales involved in arranging any works may not be conducive to your building works.



I am not sure if I am building within three metres of a public sewer what do I need to do?You may need the services of a specialist drainagecontractor to determine if your build falls within 3metres of a sewer.They will usually undertake a ‘probe and mark’with a sonar device to plot the line of the sewer atground level and establish its depth.United Utilities doesn’t currently offer this servicehowever private contractors can be found using aninternet search.

When will building over or close to a United Utilities asset not be allowed?We will not agree to the following being built over:• Pumping/Rising mains• Manholes• Most brick, masonry or pitch fibre sewers• Strategic Sewers (usually large diameter,

deep sewers)• Water Mains

When would your enquiry be refused?• The Build Over enquiry form is either

incomplete or information is not clear.• No location plans have been submitted with the

enquiry form.• Plans do not show the exact location of the

sewer (we need to see the position of the sewerand the flow direction in relation to the existingbuilding and the proposed building work beforeany assessment can be made).

• Plans show that you wish to build over amanhole or inspection chamber.

• The enquiry is for a new dwelling built over asewer. We would expect existing sewers to bediverted around new buildings.

• No cross section drawings have beensubmitted. We require this drawing if thebuilding is over or within 3m of the sewer aswe need to see how the foundations will beconstructed. Cross section drawings must

show the foundation in relation to the sewer,with clearance marked and any bridging detailspecified.

• Minimum clearance has not been achievedbetween the foundations and the pipe.

• Foundations have not been taken below theinvert level of the sewer.

• Plans show that the sewer is surrounded inconcrete. Pipes must be surrounded in peagravel unless agreed otherwise.

• The proposal includes a plan to remove acritical access point or change of directionmanhole.

Can I build over a manhole?We will not grant permission for new buildings (orextensions to buildings) to be built over existingaccess to public sewers.

Can I start work before permission is received?Building work shouldn’t start until approval hasbeen granted. If following our assessment (orafter assessment by an Inspector) your designplans need to be amended, it is more difficult todo if building work has begun. This is also likely tomean that you could incur more cost that could beavoided.Often a pre-construction CCTV survey will needto be completed to check the condition of thesewer.

What happens if the sewer is in poor condition?We will not agree to building over or near to anysewer that is in poor condition and reserve theright to withhold permission to build over until alldefects are rectified.We have a responsibility to carry out repairs todefective sewers, however this work would beprioritised according to customer impact, risk andbusiness needs. Therefore the time scales involvedin arranging any works may not be conducive toyour building works.

In certain circumstances, to facilitate the building works and only where we classify the defects as no immediate risk to customers, we may grant permission for you to appoint a competent contractor to carry out a repair. This will be at your own expense and any permission to carry out works would be assessed on a site by site basis.

Can I divert the sewer? We would prefer a sewer to be diverted rather than built over (if this is feasible) so that we can easily access the sewer if ever needed for maintenance and repair. You need permission to divert a public sewer and more information, including an enquiry form can be found on our website unitedutilities.com/sewer-diversion.aspx

The sewer from my property drains from my property only. Do I need permission from United Utilities? See page 5 for information on sewer responsibility.

What does the Building Regulations have to do with a sewer? The building regulations is the legislation which states that you need the permission of the sewer owner (in this case United Utilities) to build over or within 3 metres of it. Your building will have to meet these regulations in order for your appointed building control body to issue with your ‘completion certificate’ when you finish your works. Upon receipt of your enquiry, you should keep a copy of this response to your appointed building control inspector or the Local Authority. We ask that your submission complies with the building regulations guidance as it offers good advice around protecting drains and sewers from buildings and also protecting buildings from drains and sewers should they ever fail. It is essential that we see that you have fully considered the sewer and how to protect it from

your building in line with these regulations this helps us make the right decision whether we can grant permission or not for your development to be built.

Working on or entering the public sewer (including CCTV survey work, altering the public sewer or public sewer manholes) All of United Utilities wastewater assets fall under the ‘Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations’ (DSEAR) and as such all sewers are classed as ‘zone 2’. This means that any CCTV survey equipment used within the sewers needs to be intrinsically safe (Ex rated) as to not cause ignition or spark in a potentially explosive atmosphere.

For access to work on the public sewer network, please visit our website www.unitedutilities.com/ builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/ for more information on what you need to do.


https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/

https://unitedutilities.com/sewer-diversion.aspx

https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/working-near-our-assets/

Is the site accessible? e.g. locked gates Yes No

Proposed start date on site D M YD M Y

Development type

(Please tick all that apply)

New building Side extension Rear extension Basement

Single storey Two storey Additional storey (above existing extension)

Conservatory Other

Details of sewer proposed to bebuilt over

Size of sewerDepth of

sewerTotal length of sewerproposed to be built over

Foundation detailsExisting foundation

type (if known)Depth of existing

foundation (if known)

Have you located the position of the sewer? Yes No

Method of locating the sewer?


Section 1 The applicant

Name

Company’s name(if applicable)

Home or company address(including postcode)

Daytime telephone number(a mobile number is fine)

Email

Section 2 The site owner (if different from the applicant)

Owner’s name

Owner’s address(including postcode)

Daytime telephone number(a mobile number is fine)

Email

Section 3 Site details

Site name

Site address(or nearest main road)

Nearest postcode

Contractor’s name

Contractor’s daytime telephonenumber (a mobile number is fine)

Email

Building over a public sewer enquiry

Glossary of Terms

Foul Water Drain/Sewer A pipe that carries waste water from the property eg toilet, bath, shower, dishwasher etc. Surface rain water should not be discharged into a foul sewer

Combined Sewer A pipe that carries waste water and surface water away from the property

Surface Water Sewer A pipe that carries away rainwater from the property. Foul water should not be discharged into this pipe

Manhole A Large chamber allowing us physical access to our sewer network. Only authorised personnel can have access

Inspection Chamber A small chamber which is used to rod and jet the sewer if there are any blockages

Y Junction A Pre formed junction pipe used for new connections

Property Drain This is a private drain which will only serve the one property

Lateral Drain A pipe serving one property which is located on third party land. This is owed and maintained by United Utilities

Rodding Eye A small entry into the sewer to allow access for rodding in case of blockages

Invert Level The level of the sewer or drain which can be measured from the inside of the bottom of the pipe

Soffit Level The most highest point inside the pipe

Cover Level The measurement taken from the highest point of the manhole cover



Foul Water Drain/Sewer A pipe that carries waste water from the property eg toilet,bath, shower, dishwasher etc. Surface rain water should not bedischarged into a foul sewer

Combined Sewer A pipe that carries waste water and surface water away fromthe property

Surface Water Sewer A pipe that carries away rainwater from the property. Foulwater should not be discharged into this pipe

Manhole A Large chamber allowing us physical access to our sewernetwork. Only authorised personnel can have access

Inspection Chamber A small chamber which is used to rod and jet the sewer if thereare any blockages

Y Junction A Pre formed junction pipe used for new connections

Property Drain This is a private drain which will only serve the one property

Lateral Drain A pipe serving one property which is located on third partyland. This is owed and maintained by United Utilities

Rodding Eye A small entry into the sewer to allow access for rodding in caseof blockages

Invert Level The level of the sewer or drain which can be measured fromthe inside of the bottom of the pipe

Soffit Level The most highest point inside the pipe

Cover Level The measurement taken from the highest point of the manholecover

Glossary of Terms

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Is the site accessible? e.g. locked gates Yes No

Proposed start date on site D M YD M Y

Development type

(Please tick all that apply)

New building Side extension Rear extension Basement

Single storey Two storey Additional storey (above existing extension)

Conservatory Other

Details of sewer proposed to be built over

Size of sewer Depth of

sewer Total length of sewer proposed to be built over

Foundation details Existing foundation

type (if known) Depth of existing

foundation (if known)

Have you located the position of the sewer? Yes No

Method of locating the sewer?

Section 1 The applicant

Name

Company’s name (if applicable)

Home or company address (including postcode)

Daytime telephone number (a mobile number is fine)

Email

Section 2 The site owner (if different from the applicant)

Owner’s name

Owner’s address (including postcode)

Daytime telephone number (a mobile number is fine)

Email

Section 3 Site details

Site name

Site address (or nearest main road)

Nearest postcode

Contractor’s name

Contractor’s daytime telephone number (a mobile number is fine)

Email

Building over a public sewer enquiry


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Section 4 Planning

Is the development exempt from planning regulations

Yes No If yes, please state why

Does the site have planning permission?

Full Yes No Application Submitted Planning reference number

(if applicable)

Outline Yes No Application Submitted Planning reference number

(if applicable)

Section 5 Building regulations

Is the development exempt from building regulations?

Yes No If yes, please state why

Have you applied for building regulations?

Yes No Application Submitted Reference number

(if applicable)

Section 6 Inspector details (Local Authority Building Control or independent Approved Inspector?)

Who is inspecting the site? Local Authority Building Control Independent Approved Inspector

Name of Local Authority or company name for Approved Inspector

Inspector’s name

Inspector’s daytime telephone number (a mobile number is fine)

Inspector’s email

Section 7 Please confirm all supporting information is attached with your enquiry Nb. We cannot respond to your enquiry without the information listed below

Site location plan (scale 1:1250) Yes No

Site plan (scale 1:100) clearly identifying: Site boundary edged green, proposed building edged yellow, foul sewer coloured brown, surface water sewer coloured blue, combined sewer coloured red and position of existing manholes

Yes No

Dimensional section through proposed building, indicating the position of foundations relative to sewer Yes No

Dimensional plan showing position of sewer relative to the building Yes No

Copies of drawings submitted to Building Control for approval Yes No

Section 8 Declaration

I understand that the submission of this form is to be treated as a preliminary enquiry and the information may be subject to change.

In particular, I understand that the information United Utilities Water Limited provides in response is valid only in conjunction with the information provided in relation to this enquiry, any changes to regulation or development layout will invalidate our response.

Name (please print) Signature

Company Date

For United Utilities use only

Date received UUW Ref no:

Please return this form to: United Utilities Developer Services, Grasmere House, 2nd Floor, Lingley Mere Business Park, BC0414 Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington WA53LP

About us United Utilities is the North West’s water company. We keep the taps flowing and toilets flushing for seven million customers every day. From Crewe to Carlisle, we work hard behind the scenes to help your life flow smoothly.

United Utilities Developer Services, Grasmere House, 2nd Floor, Lingley Mere Business Park, Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 3LP. Registered in England and Wales. Registered Number 2366678.

BOPSA-03/20v1 03/20/SD/8644f

Documents

Building over a Public Sewer - United Utilities · building standards (outlined in H4 Building Regulations) you will need our permission to build over or within 3 metres of the centreline