Developing a new site

If you’re building a development of two or more properties, it’s likely that you will have worked with us before and will have a good understanding of what you need.

Before you start, check if your development is in our area.

Your options

In most cases you can choose to:

  • have an approved self-lay contractor (supply) or a suitably qualified contractor (waste) undertake the work
  • ask a NAV (New Appointment and Variation) to serve your development in a defined area known as an ‘inset’
  • ask us to provide a cost estimate to carry out the work for you.

Each of these options has its own benefits, and third party providers may be able to offer a more cost effective and flexible service.

Did you know?

You can use our charging calculator to work out an 'up-front' cost for us to service your site, which you can compare against alternative service providers.

No matter how you choose to deliver supply and wastewater services to your site, we always recommend that you start by talking to our planning and capacity team to obtain advice and support regarding the location and capacity of our existing infrastructure.

Services that you are most likely to need

Planning and capacity

Get advice regarding location and capacity and find out how to make a pre-planning enquiry.

Self lay

As a developer you may choose to lay water mains yourself under a self-lay agreement with us. Follow our guidance for SLPs.

New Appointments and Variations

The NAV Market enables developers and large business customers to choose their water and sewerage undertaker for a specific geographic area. Follow our guidance for NAVs.

Water services that you are most likely to need

New water mains connection

You can requisition us to design and lay a new water main to serve your development.

Building near or over a water main

Find out what to do if your project could affect one of our water mains.

Supply connections

If you need to make a new supply connection, you will need Wessex Water’s consent.

Wastewater services that you are most likely to need

Sewer connection

If you're looking to make a new sewer connection, you will need Wessex Water's consent.

Sewer adoptions

Find out how to adopt a public sewer.

Sewer diversions

If you have plans to build a new development, an extension, or a garage or conservatory, you will need to consider whether there is a public sewer in the way.

Sewer requisitions

Request a new sewer to be laid for your development.

Building near to or over a minor public sewer

Find out what the difference is between private and public sewers.