The term Self-lay describes the process whereby developers choose their own contractor to install water mains and service pipes, rather than ask the appointed water supplier to carry out the work. Under the Water Industry Act 1991 (WIA 91) as amended by Water Act 2003; if a contractor lays pipes in accordance with the terms of an agreement with a water company then the water company must connect those pipes to their supply system and take over responsibility for (adopt) them.

In March 2003 we issued guidance on Competition in providing new mains and service pipes. We revised this guidance in August 2005 to reflect changes in the legislation and increased opportunities for competition. It outlines the scope of self-lay and the framework that water companies should have in place when dealing with requests to self-lay from developers or contractors.

In May 2004 we published Guidance on financial arrangements for self-lay and requisitioning agreements. This guidance explains the principles that water and sewerage companies should follow when calculating the charges and payments that are made when new water and sewerage infrastructure is installed.

A further review of both Guidance for Self Lay and Financial Guidance has been undertaken. The finalised revised documents are available on our website via the following links:

• Guidance to companies in providing new water mains and service pipes
• Guidance on financial arrangements for self-lay and requisitioning agreements

In addition, a summary of consultation responses we received to our consultation documents is also available on our website via the following links:

• Summary of responses to guidance to companies in providing new water mains and service pipes
• Summary of responses to guidance on financial arrangements for self-lay and requisitioning agreements

WIA 91 provides powers to Ofwat to:

• determine disputes about the requisitioning of mains, sewers and lateral drains; and
• consider appeals about the adoption of water mains.

Our publication Process for handling disputes and appeals: requisitioning for water mains and public sewers and/or lateral drains and adoption of self-laid mains sets out the process Ofwat will follow in exercising these powers.

In accordance with our guidance, individual Water Company's will publish their own self-lay policies. Further information regarding these, including the approvals process for prospective Self-Lay Organisations, is available on the respective company websites.

Specific information regarding the accreditation of Self-Lay organisations under the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) can be found at www.lr.org.