We can make new appointments for the supply of water and/or sewerage services for a defined area. This includes varying an existing appointment to cover a new area.

One of the three criteria under which new appointments can be made is the unserved criterion. This is when there is an application to supply services in an area in which none of the premises is served by an existing appointed water company.

Served premises

We consider premises to be served if

• water is supplied by a connection to a distribution main of the existing appointed water company
• they are drained by means of a relevant sewer or drain.

If either or both of these criteria apply the premises are not eligible under the underved criterion.

Our approach to particular types of sites

Sometimes it is not immediately apparent whether a site is served or unserved. We set out some examples of these below and explain our approach.

Temporary building supplies

While a site is being developed it may require a temporary connection for building supplies. If a site requires such a connection, we will regard it as being unserved, provided no customers require a supply.

Demolition of served premises

If there were served premises on a site, these may be demolished to create an unserved site. However you must make sure that it is legal to do so. You must ensure that following the demolition of buildings that there is no connection available on the remaining land that could be used to supply water or sewerage services.

Re-drawing boundaries

If a site contains served premises, you may re-draw the site boundary to exclude such buildings. The re-drawn site will then be unserved

Previously served sites

It is not relevant to the test of whether a site is served if the site has been served in the past. Often, disused sites can be redeveloped over time, but during the redevelopment phase are unserved. What is important is whether the site is served or unserved at the time the appointment is granted.

Independent verification

We require independent verification of a site's status for applications under the unserved criterion, and will only consider applications once the verification has been received. The verification must be provided in a report by a qualified person who is independent of you and the appointed water company and should be based on their own assessment of the site, taking into account the views of both parties. We can provide a list of reporters.

Disputes

If the appointed water company disputes the unserved status of a site, we expect it to explain to you and us why it considers the site to be served and to consider your views about why it is not. We would also expect the appointed water company to continue timely and constructive negotiations with you. We would not accept an appointed water company's doubts about the unserved nature of a site as a valid excuse for refusing to negotiate.

Ultimately, we will decide the status of a site.