Technical requirements

Your trench should be between 750mm and 1.350m deep. ​

The trench should be free from any debris that may damage the pipe and should be wide enough (350mm) to accommodate the pipework.

Service pipes and ducts shall be laid in straight runs to the agreed location. They should not cross neighbouring building plots.

If your pipe work or the connection is due to take place within private land, you will need to liaise with the landowner and obtain their written consent for excavating/laying your pipe. We will also need a copy of this consent prior to us making the connection.

The pipe should be surrounded by sand or fine material. The trench can then be backfilled with soil, which must be free from rubble and domestic or commercial waste. ​

If you plan on backfilling your trench or if this is a long pipework length so you backfill as you go along, we must be able to see inspection pits along the pipework run – especially at the start, middle and end. ​

You should also take photographs of the trench and pipework prior to any backfilling.

Barrier pipe must be used for all new private service pipes unless specifically agreed with Wessex Water​.

If you would like to use a standard MDPE pipe, you will need to submit a Site Assessment Report meeting the specifications of Guidance for the Selection of Water Supply Pipes to be used in Brownfield Sites (UKWIR ref.10/ WM/03/21) which can be found here (www.ukwir.org).

Important: You will need our approval for MDPE before laying any pipe.

Where you are installing multiple connections, the service pipes must be clearly labelled at the boundary with the correct plot number/property number.​

If you are installing a fire supply, this will also be labelled so we can clearly identify it. ​

All properties should have internal stop taps installed and turned off, prior to the meter being fitted.

The correctly sized pipe/duct should be laid to the agreed connection point and have 1m or 2m of tail ends exposed ready for connection. They should also be plugged to prevent debris from entering the pipe. ​

Where installing a standpipe or trough, you will need to install this prior to us attending site to complete the trench inspection.

This will also need approval from our Water Regulations team before connection is complete. Standpipes can only be used to provide water for staff facilities or construction work on building sites​.

We support the principle of sharing a trench with other utilities and will work with you to do so, including facilitating the placement of ducting in a Wessex Water trench for other utilities, where ​possible. ​

Any ducting placed in a Wessex Water trench shall be entirely at your risk. Trenching and placement of ducting or other services in a shared trench must be NJUG compliant and meet Wessex Water standards.​

Where you excavate and reinstate a trench outside your property boundary, you are responsible for employing a suitably licensed contractor. You would also be responsible for the quality of the reinstatement for a period of 24 months​.

Pipework must be ducted and suitably insulated as it enters the property.

Pipes entering buildings at the approved depth should be passed through a duct and the ends of the duct sealed, to prevent the ingress of gas, fluids, insects or vermin into the building. ​

Pipes shall be insulated where necessary with a minimum of 19mm rubberised foam​.

Ducts should be sized to allow pipes to be readily removable for maintenance and repair.

Requirements may vary due to differing wall designs and construction methods.

Your site must be free of any obstructions and easy to access. In particular,  all scaffolding on site must be removed before requesting your connection.