Self lay

There's a standard application fee for a new water main, which can be found in the Severn Trent Water (STW) current Developer Charges booklet on our website.

There is no standard cost for the laying of a new water main as the cost is site specific and depends on whether the developer chooses to have the new water main laid by STW, known as a requisition, or laid by a self lay organisation (SLP) known as self lay. Once the design for the new water mains scheme has been agreed and approved, STW will be able to give the applicant a site specific cost in our Offer Letter.

As part of an ongoing process to introduce competition into the water services market, Lloyd’s Register operate the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) on behalf of water utility companies. Lloyd’s Register perform technical assessments of companies who elect to be assessed to become a WIRS registered provider,  commonly known as self-lay organisations (SLPs), for contestable works associated with the installation of water infrastructure.

Sorry, STW cannot recommend a SLP.  

A developer can find an accredited SLP in their area on the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) website.

A Form 2 is a notification to start constructing a new water main. A SLP must complete this notification and send it STW to tell us when they are about to start construction on site. This notification should be sent to STW 15 days before any construction work starts. 

STW expect the minimum information on a Form 2:

1. The STW reference number(s).
2. The date the SLP intends to start work on site.
3. A description of the works.
4. The name/organisation who is going to carry out the testing and chlorination and their telephone number.
5. The date of the pre-start meeting.
6. The expected date of the final connection.
7. Who is going to do the final connection.

An incomplete Form 2 will be returned to the SLP and this failure of process will be reported to Lloyd’s Register.

A Form 3 is a water mains sampling and commissioning notification that a SLP must complete and send to STW to tell us when they want to connect the new water main.  This notification should be sent to STW 10 days before the connection is needed.

STW expect the minimum information on a Form 3: 

1. The STW reference number(s).
2. Confirmation who is going to make the final connection. If this is the SLP, then we also need a Routine Inline Mains Connection Notification.
3. Confirmation that this is the final Form 3, if applicable.

STW expect the following documentation to be submitted with the Form3: 

1. The Pressure Test and Chlorination Certificate.
2. The Interim Fire Hydrant Certificate issued to the local Fire Service.
3. The Swabbing Certificate, the AS-Laid Drawing(s).
4. The GISST update form.
5. The site sign off sheet.

An incomplete Form 3 will be returned to the SLP and this failure of process will be reported to Lloyd’s Register. This may delay the connection.

A Form 4 is a notification to start connecting service pipes which a SLP must use to tell STW information about each property it intends to make a service connection to.  This notification must be sent to STW 10 days before starting to make any connections, or 5 working days if a STW Watermark, or equivalent scheme, approved plumber has completed the work.

STW expect the minimum information for each plot to be completed on a Form 4:

1. The STW reference number(s).
2. The plot numbers which are ready for inspection .
3. The postal address of each plot.
4. The date the plots will be ready for inspection.
5. The name/organisation who is going to install the meters.
6. Confirmation that service connections have been paid for.
7. Confirmation of pipe size.
8. Confirmation of meter size needed.
9. Confirmation of connection to an on-site or off-site main.

An incomplete Form 4 will be returned to the SLP and this failure of process will be reported to Lloyd’s Register.

A Form 5 is a notification of competed service pipe connections that a SLP must use to tell STW which meters have been installed at each property.  This must be sent to STW within 5 days of making a service connection.

STW expect the minimum information for each plot to be completed on a Form 5:

1. The STW reference number.
2. The plot numbers to be connected.
3. The date of connection.
4. The postal address.
5. The occupier’s details, if known.

If the SLP has also installed the meter we also expect:

1. The date the meter was installed.
2. The meter location.
3. The meter size.
4. The meter serial number.
5. The meter reading.

An incomplete Form 5 will be returned to the SLP and this failure of process will be reported to Lloyd’s Register.

If STW attend site and find that a meter has not been fitted in the stated timescales we will charge for our visit and subsequent visit to fit the meter.

There is no standard cost for a service connection as the cost is plot and property specific. 

The only standard costs are for metering and  infrastructure which can be found in the STW current Developer Charges booklet on our website. 

Yes. Service pipes can be laid by a SLP as long as the installer carries the appropriate Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) accreditation.

STW will send a quote to the SLP within 28 working days of receiving a request for a quote.

STW will send a quote to the SLP within 28 working days of receiving a request for a quote.

All water meters will be supplied by STW and delivered to an agreed location and will be paid for by either the developer or SLP within 3 working days of receiving the Form 5.