First time sewerage scheme
(Section 101A Water Industry Act 1991)
If you require a first time sewerage scheme, you will need to apply for the provision of a public sewer.
Please note this page is currently undergoing construction to provide customers with upfront information. If you wish to apply please follow the steps below.
Any interested parties (see the Eligibility section below) can approach Southern Water to ask for a new public sewer to be provided if environmental or amenity problems exist, or are likely to arise from their existing drainage system. However, the provision only requires Southern Water to provide a public sewer in certain circumstances. Any proposal will be appraised in accordance with the technical criteria and economic factors set out in the guidance issued by the Defra/Welsh Office and any other relevant factors. The appraisal will examine all practicable options of overcoming, in the long term, the environmental or amenity problem (including repair, proper maintenance or reconstruction of the existing systems other than by the provision of a new private sewer). A new public sewer will be provided only if it is appropriate to do so in the light of the Guidance and all other factors. Once cases have been considered under the new duty, they will only be reconsidered if material changes in the environmental or amenity problems have arisen.
Section 101A Applications
Below is a guide on what you need to do when making an application.
What information should be submitted to Southern Water?
Before you make an application it’s important to take account of the following points:
- Southern Water is generally aware of the drainage position, however you may wish to draw our attention to the particular problems in your locality by supplying a brief description and any evidence of the environmental and amenity problems. You can also find out where the public sewers are in your area on our sewer and water maps.
- Indicate the extent of the sewerage requirements and why you as the applicant(s) think a public sewer is required, together with any supporting material that is available, such as letters, documents, papers, etc.
- It is not necessary for you to carry out tests, detailed appraisals or professionally prepared studies and designs of the options but if any of these have been done, it would be helpful to let Southern Water see them.
Who is eligible?
Anyone with an interest in the premises (e.g. owner, occupier) or anybody on behalf of the householders (e.g. a Local Authority) is eligible to ask Southern Water to provide a public sewer.
Apply under S101A
You can inform us that you would like to apply under Section 101A by using our online form.
What happens when Southern Water is approached to provide a sewer?
- Southern Water will acknowledge the approach and will let you know when it expects to give a considered reply.
- Provide an initial assessment of the validity of the application, including an explanation of how we propose to evaluate it.
- Southern Water will examine a range of possible options (provision of a new public sewer, remedying existing systems etc) in accordance with the Defra/Welsh office Guidance, in each case assessing the expected environmental or amenity benefits and the costs of implementing alternative solutions.
- Typically, we aim to have concluded our appraisal within 12 months of receipt of the application. We will then write to the person or body acting as the application co-ordinator with our Decision. If it is refused the reason(s) for refusal will be set out in full. If the application is more complex or extensive than the norm, and consequently is likely to take longer to process, this will be explained and an alternative date by which a response should be expected will be provided.
Environment Agency – Public Sewer Connection
Appeal to the Environment Agency if you have been refused connection to the public sewer: gov.uk/guidance/disputes-regarding-connection-to-the-public-sewer.