There are some key things you need to know before you’re ready to apply for a new water main. Once you have considered each of these you are all set to send us your application.

This information is for the application process of a new water main being laid into the site and the service connections on site being connected to the new main.

If you're building a small number of properties that front an existing main or you choose to lay long services down to our main visit the new house page.

How do I apply?

You'll need to complete a water mains application form and send it to us along with the following supporting information:

• A location plan;
• A copy of the valid planning permission for the site;
• Evidence that the applicant owns site;
• A soil analysis report;
• A schedule detailing plot numbers and service pipe sizes;
• A schedule detailing fittings in any commercial premises;
• The application fee payment (see our current Development Charges);
• The site layout plan in AUTOCAD.

Once we've received your application we'll confirm that we've got it and send you a reference number. Your application will then be assigned to a member of our team who will be your point of contact during the design stage.

When you're ready to apply download our water mains application form (PDF).  

If this is a NAV development, then please download our NAV application form.

How much is it going to cost?

This is dependent on the type of development, the number of properties being built and the construction period. Sometimes a new water main can be installed at no cost to a developer. The reason for this is that we offset the amount of income that new properties will generate over a 12 year period against the construction cost of the new main.

There are also a number of build options available to a developer. What work is carried out and by who, will change the cost. When we get the application form, we'll check our network for capacity, complete the design and calculate the costs. We'll send you an options letter which will give you the costs for the following options:

• Lay only – here Hafren Dyfrdwy will install the main but the developer will undertake all on site preparation including excavation of trenches. Once the main has been laid the developer is then responsible for backfilling and constructing chambers for valves etc - sections and lids provided by Hafren Dyfrdwy.
• Hafren Dyfrdwy to excavate, lay and back fill – here we'll do all the site preparation, excavation and backfill including construction of chambers.
• Self Lay – here the developer will choose a Lloyds accredited SLO to do the work. If you choose this option, a Self Lay Agreement will be issued. Please see our self lay page for more information.

You have 6 months to tell us which option you've chosen, and once we know we can send you the relevant legal agreement, which you'll need to sign and send back to us with the associated payment.

All of the individual properties on the site will need a service connection. Once an agreement is in place, and when you're ready for the service connections, we can send you the costs for each plot connection, e.g. you may want to get plots connected in blocks of 10.

Once the agreements are complete we will then liaise with our term contractors regarding scheduling the works and a start date for the installation of the new main. Before works commence onsite a prestart meeting will be held with you to agree a programme of works. A site contact will be assigned to the site as your key point of contact for onsite work.

The new mains will be constructed, tested and commissioned. Once the new mains are connected onto our existing network they become our responsibility and will be updated on our records.

Who does this and how?

Once the new main is in you can lay the property service pipes to the new highway boundary or up to the new water main. If you've told us that you want Hafren Dyfrdwy to connect the property/plot connections then as you accept and pay for each individual plot we'll arrange for our inspector to visit site to sign off the service pipe installation. Once the inspection is passed, we'll schedule a date for the individual plot connections. We'll then connect the properties and install the water meters.

If the plumber who is installing your services is WaterMark approved, you'll need to give us their details, along with the payment for the connection. We'll then schedule the connection without inspection in most cases (we do carry out a random selection of audit checks on site).

If you've chosen to use a self lay contractor to install your services, you simply need to tell us when each property is connected and when the water meter is installed. For more information visit the self lay page.

As soon as you know the postal address of the properties and before they are sold you need to provide us with this information to allow us to correctly set up the billing account for the new property. Once this account is set up the new occupier can then register their details and we will issue the water/sewerage bill.

If you require more detailed information on our process - please read our guidance documents.