New connections

New connections 

Making an application for services

We have a single process for handling small and larger developments. It is designed to capture all the data our Developer Services team need to create a quote for your new connection to our water network. 

Before submitting the application form please make sure you have all the available information and documents to hand. Please find below the checklist of possible information that may be required: 

• Location plan preferred scale of 1:2500
• Site layout plan (preferred scales of 1:250, 1:500 or 1750)
• Plan showing the connection 'Point of Connection' and pipe run for the individual plot/s and any 'Temporary Builders Supplies' is included?
• 'Point of Connection'
• Details of existing utility services on, or next to, the site
• Plan showing designated utility services strips
• Plan of any area proposed for adoption by Highways Authority has been included?
• Risk assessment for water pipes has been included
• Pipe layout plan
• Internal pipe schematic
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) F10 notice
• If your development is for trade, business or community use, and will last longer than 30 days we will need a copy of your HSE F10 notice
• Written permission from the landowner of any privately-owned land we need to cross to lay your pipe
• Sprinkler system schematics for the site
• If you require a 'Fire Supply', the schematics for the system

You can download a copy of this checklist here.

To simplify the process, we ask that if you are planning to develop premises that will have a postal address, you seek the postal addresses from the appropriate Planning Authority at the earliest opportunity, as we will require this before connection takes place. Details of how to do this can be found through the following link. 

Upon verifying that we have all the necessary information to assess your application fully we will request payment of your Application fee. The request will include a payment reference that must be quoted when paying your applications fee. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Once we have confirmed we have received all the above we will provide an estimate for the work required within 28 calendar days. Please familiarise yourself with our New Connections process, it gives you an overview of the process you are following and will help you with planning your build and administration tasks:

We fully understand that this can be a complicated area. Therefore we of course can tailor your specific requirements with our specialist in-house design team to guide you through your new connection.

New housing or commercial development requiring a water main extended into the site for connections to be made, we can provide a full quotation, design and delivery service, but you do have a number of choices for how you pay or arrange for the work to be carried out. You can choose to appoint your own accredited contractor known as a Self-Lay Provider (SLP) to work with you to install the pipework. For more information see our charges information further down this page and we also have a list of approved SLPs working in our area.

Before you start work, we recommend you read the guidance in our How to lay a new supply pipe factsheet, and our Metering Policy for new developments.

All supporting documentation (including your application if you decided to print this off) can be emailed to our Developer Services team at developerservices@seswater.co.uk. 

To make an online application, access the form below, or if you prefer, you can also post or email the application by downloading a copy of the 'New Connections' application form here. 

If you have an enquiry before deciding to make an application then please contact us using one of the following methods:

• Email: developerservices@seswater.co.uk
• Letter: SES Water, London Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1LJ

Thank you

Customers in the KT19 0 area were considerably inconvenienced on Sunday 26 July when a burst main caused a loss of water and damage to gardens and external property. We worked solidly throughout the day and evening to repair the damage. Not only were customers understanding, they provided hot drinks for our team on the ground and wrote in to thank them for their hard work:

"I would just like to say thank you to everyone who were obviously working so hard to get our supplies back up and running as quickly as they could. Also a huge thank you to the guys who were giving out bottled water and driving around the water tanker, they did a fantastic job!" Karen and Mick

We do not underestimate how difficult it is to manage without running water and to witness the terrible damage it can cause. A big thank you to all our customers in the area who went out their way to help us feel more comfortable after a long day's work, despite the hardship they were experiencing. It means a lot.

If you are vulnerable - or know a friend, relative or neighbour who may need a little extra help in emergency situations - please let us know. Join our Priority Services register and make sure you get the help you need. For more details go to seswater.co.uk/priorityservices, email hereforyou@seswater.co.uk or call 01737 785606.

We will continue to work hard to repair all the damage caused by this burst. Thank you once again for your support. Please get in touch if you have any outstanding issues relating to this incident, email customerservicesops@seswater.co.uk or call 01737 772000.

Our charges

There is an infrastructure charge for each new connection. This charge is used for the purpose of improving the capacity of our pipe network to avoid new development having a detrimental impact on pressure and flow for all customers served by our network. If you are just replacing 'like for like' the infrastructure charge may not apply.

The same principle applies for sewerage. When you apply to us for a connection, we will charge for the Water charge and also the Sewerage charge where the connection is located within the Thames Water sewerage area. Please use this link to the see the Thames Water area. If your connection is in the Southern Water sewerage area then we pass the details of the water application to Southern Water who will raise a separate invoice for the infrastructure charge.

Our regulator, Ofwat, sets charging levels to make allowance for previous or multiple use of water at a site. For further information please visit www.ofwat.gov.uk/nonhousehold/developers.

Where we lay the service connections and any new mains where required, the costs we quote will include the actual direct costs incurred by the works plus:

• Our costs for managing the works
• Traffic management costs to comply with street-works regulations
• Other costs such as re-surveys for failed regulation checks and unplanned re-phasing by the applicant 

Where the charge we require before work commences is more than the overall cost of delivering the work we re-imburse the difference. On occasions where unforeseen circumstances arise on-site, we are allowed to seek further costs.   

We use HM Revenue & Customs’ interpretation of VAT legislation as our guide on how to correctly charge VAT on the services we provide. Our work attracts a different rate of VAT according to the type of service we are supplying, the type of property involved and where the work is being carried out. In most cases VAT is applicable either at standard or zero rate.

We publish our charges annually. The documents for the current and forthcoming years are provided below and contain detail on all matters relating to charges. We recommend these are referred to:

 Self-lay providers

For a new housing or commercial development requiring a water main extended into the site for connections to be made, we can provide a full quotation, design and delivery service, but you have a number of choices for how you pay or arrange for the work to be carried out.  You can choose to appoint your own accredited contractor known as a Self-Lay Provider (SLP) to work with you to install the pipework.   

Find SLPs working in our area

Bulk Supply Charging Arrangements for NAVs

Please find below the SES Water Bulk Supply Charging Arrangement for New Appointments and Variation (NAVs) 2020/21. Further details related to the application process for NAVs will be published shortly. Any queries relating to the Bulk Supply Charging Arrangements or the NAV application process please contact us on developerservices@seswater.co.uk