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Building Over or Near a Public Sewer

Application & Guidance

Assessment/Approval

  • We will assess your application and provide a response on any requirements in order to get approval.
  • Once we have approved, we will then issue an Agreement for signature.
  • As soon as the signed agreement is returned, we will authorise construction

Construction

  • You can start your construction work once you have received authorisation from NIW.
  • You should ensure that the construction work adheres to pipe protection measures..

Inspection/Final Approval

  • You should complete and submit an Application to inspect a Build Over, when the pipe protection measures have been installed.
  • We will organise an inspection within 10 working days.
  • If we are satisfied with the works, we will issue a Completion Certificate.

Building Over or Near a Public Sewer

The Process
Step 1 - Application & Payments
Please complete the application form and send it to developerservices@niwater.com with all of the associated documents listed on the application form.
Your application submission will be checked for completeness and you will be issued with details of how to make the payment of the application fee via BACS.
Step 2 - CCTV Survey (for building over and piling works only)
If it is proposed that the affected public sewer is not going to be replaced, we will carry out a CCTV camera survey to check the public sewer’s structural condition. If the affected public sewer is a Clay pipe it must be replaced at the property owner’s expense.
Step 3 - Assessment and Outcome
If your proposal is acceptable we will issue a Build Over / Near a Public Sewer Agreement and approval letter.
If any drainage works are necessary (eg, sewer replacement or manhole relocation), our approval will be conditional, pending completion of these works.
Step 4 - Owner to return signed Build Over / Near a Public Sewer Agreement 
Please return the Agreement with all of the required signatures to developerservices@niwater.com
NIW will authorise the Agreement and will issue it to the applicant.
Step 5 - Drainage Works (amending NIW infrastructure)
The drainage works should be carried out in accordance with the agreed Method Statement and as detailed in the approved drawings.
Step 6 - Construction
Your works can commence.
When construction has progressed where the pipe protection measures have been installed and remain exposed, please submit an application for an Inspection (SBO-A236-Insp) inclusive of the inspection fee.
NIW will arrange for an Inspection of the work associated with the approved Agreement, inclusive of a CCTV to determine the structural integrity of the affected sewer.
If the work associated with the approved Agreement is deemed satisfactory we will issue a Completion Certificate as confirmation, to keep with your property deeds.


Typical Detail for Building Over a Public Sewer

  • It should be noted that NI  Water will NOT consider a proposal to build over a public sewer for a New Building.
  • The detail indicated below does not cover all situations which may arise on site and consultation may be necessary with representatives from NI Water prior to submitting their proposals along with the application for consideration.
  • A Building Over or Near a Public Sewer agreement is required if the construction is within the Protected Strip, which is noted as
    • within 3m or 1.5 times the depth of the proposed structure (whichever is the greater); OR
    • within 15m if piling is proposed; OR 
    • if your proposal involves the reduction or increase of the existing ground level within the Protected Strip,

services for developers

  • Although we will consider every case sympathetically, it is probable that permission to build over sewers which are classified as critical sewers will not be given. 
  • Further information and application forms are available on www.niwater.com/servicesfordevelopers.asp 
  • This sketch is not to scale.

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