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Information for developers
If a development requires a new water main or sewer, the developer may ask the water or sewerage company to install the pipework. When this is required for domestic purposes (cooking, cleaning or sanitary facilities), it is known as requisitioning.
Alternatively, they may choose their own contractor to do the work, which is known as self-lay. The water company will take over responsibility for (adopt) self-laid pipes that meet the terms of its agreement with the developer or self-lay organisation (SLO) that carries out the work. All water companies should have an easily accessible self-lay policy.
Self-lay may be attractive to developers because it may be possible to provide a multi-utility option. This can save both time and money and provide better co-ordination of infrastructure provision.
In accordance with our guidance, individual water companies must publish their self-lay policies.
This section provides further information about:
- Contestable and non-contestable works: This explains which aspects of self lay must be carried out by the company or their contractors (non-contestable), or can be carried out by either the water company or another suitable organisation (contestable).
- The self lay process: If you’ve decided to self-lay, this explains the process and what happens next.
- Self lay legislation: This explains what laws apply to self-lay
- Self lay accreditation: This explains which businesses can carry out self-lay work.
- Ofwat self lay group: This provides details of a forum we lead on self-lay.
- Water companies' self-lay policies: This gives links to each water companies' policies on self-lay
