We’ve created a list of our frequently asked questions for service connections. If you can’t find the answer to your question, please contact our Developer Services team on 0333 000 0060. They’re here to help Monday to Friday 8am-4pm.
Application
When you complete your application, we’ll capture information about you and your project. Don’t worry, we’ve included lots of supporting information on how to do this. Alongside the questions, we’ll ask you to provide us with a construction drawing of your site. Depending on the previous usage of your site, we may require a soil report.
We’ll let you know if we require a soil report. Generally, we’ll require a soil report when you’re building on a brownfield site. A soil report is required so that we can ensure correct pipework is used to minimise future risk of contamination of the water supplied.
An S41 is a Section 41 – Mains Requestion application. You’ll only need an S41 application if you’re building 5 or more properties, or your project is 100m or more from our nearest Water Main. If in doubt, please contact us before submitting your application.
Once you’ve applied to us, you’ll be required to pay an application and admin fee. These fees are non-refundable.
Payment
Please get in touch for our payment details.
Please get in touch for cost advice breakdown.
Infrastructure charges are additional charges applied to all new connections. Infrastructure charges are used to cover the additional costs incurred by the Water Company due to a new connection. To find out more, please refer to our charges document here(opens in a new tab).
Income offset is a credit made by water companies when a new domestic connection is made. The income offset is provided in recognition that the water company will receive an income from the new customers.
Survey
A desktop survey is carried out on application, and if a site visit is then required, we will contact you to schedule this.
If there are accessibility issues, we will need to attend site to carry out a survey with the relevant local authorities and third parties, which will incur a fee.
For a breakdown of costs and fees for on site surveys, please get in touch.
A South East Water representative or technician will carry out the survey, along with the contract supervisor, and any relevant local authorities or third parties if necessary.
You’ll not pay anything additional for a site survey. The costs associated with evaluating your project are included within our application and admin fees.
There are additional charges if on site surveys are required. Please get in touch to confirm these.
Trench Inspection
A virtual trench inspection allows us to check that your pipework is laid in accordance with Water Regulations but without coming to site! We’ll need you to provide us with a list of photos of your project which we’ll review. We’ll let you know if there are any issues, and if not we will arrange your connection.
Please visit our Water Regulations page for more information. Get in touch if you have any further concerns or issues.
Connection Date
Once you’ve made payment and we’ve checked your project is ready, we can start planning your connection. For projects that do not require a road closure, we’ll complete your connection within 21 days of us your virtual trench inspection being completed.
Where a road closure is required, we must give a minimum of 12 weeks' notice to your local Highway Authority. We recognise this is frustrating, but this is a legal requirement. Where possible, once you’ve made payment for your works, we’ll look to schedule you in for a connection.
Post Connection
Please get in touch for more information on registering for a billing account.