Design Approval Process
New water mains for your development can be laid by us or you can use your own contractor, also known as a Self-Lay Provider (SLP). Once your development is complete we will adopt the water network.
Since January 2022 we have allowed Self-Lay Providers to complete some connections to our existing water network where no new mains are being laid.
Self-Lay Providers must be accredited to the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) which is run by Lloyd's Register. Being accredited means they work to national industry standards, so they understand our policies and procedures for laying new mains and making service connections.
You can find a WIRS accredited company, and information on the scheme, on the Lloyd's Register website.
Below is a guide for working with self-lay providers, including links to relevant application forms. For all correspondence relating to self-lay works, including application forms, please send to: selflay@uuplc.co.uk.
Please note that whenever you make a connection to our water network you must call our control room on 0345 672 3723 to let them know before and after the work is carried out.
Self Lay Calculator
Get an approximate cost for the work you are carrying out with our self-lay calculator.
For further information please see:
- A guide to self-lay mains and service connections (PDF 631 KB opens new window)
- Maps of areas we cover and our respective contacts
- UK Water's Code of Practice for the Self-laying of Water Mains and Services – England and Wales (PDF 2,489 KB opens new window)
- Annual Contestability Summary (PDF 140 KB opens new window)
Codes for adoption
In January 2021 Ofwat introduced a new standard practice across the water industry in England for water companies to follow when adopting self-laid mains.
This standard practice is known as the code for adoption and also referred to as "the codes".
For further information please see the Water UK approved documents.