Pre-development services

Whether you’re extending your home or developing a large-scale property site, we can help you connect to our network – whatever your needs.

New development sites will often require a new water main, which we’ll connect to our network to provide your development with water. Pre-development enquiries allow you to obtain the information you need to effectively and easily plan your development. 

We can help you decide, prior to purchase, whether developing a parcel of land is feasible and talk you through the three methods of installing the required water infrastructure – requisitioning, self-lay and NAV.

Basic supply strategy enquiry

We’ll be able to give you an indication of the scope of the work required to supply your development - if you can tell us:

  1. the location of the site
  2. how many dwellings are to be constructed on it
  3. the estimated peak flow rate for any other proposed properties

We will not produce a design for the required mains, or provide budget costs, but you will be told whether it’s the main that runs straight past your development or a main on the other side of town that will supply your development.

Enquiries are free of charge, unless significant investigation into the supply strategy is required. Don’t worry, there’s no extra work to do, we'll contact you if we require a fee to be paid.

Preliminary mains design enquiry

We’ll be able to put together a provisional design for the mains that would be required to supply your development and provide budget costs for the required work - if you can provide us with the following:

  1. the location of the site
  2. a site layout drawing for the site
  3. how many dwellings are to be constructed
  4. the peak flow rate and annual water consumption for any other properties that are to be built

Information on the costs associated with both requisitioning the required pipework and self-laying it will be provided. An application fee is payable for this service.

Small Developments

Are you planning a development of less than 5 properties?

If you are, you will need to complete an Application For a New Supply Form to tell us your details and let us know what you are planning to do.

Visit our dedicated Small Developments page to find out all the information you need about your small development - including finding an approved plumber, application forms & much more. 

Response times

Responses to Basic Supply Strategy / Capacity Enquiries are sent out within 21 calendar days. Responses to Preliminary Mains Enquiries are sent out with a full design and budget estimate with 28 calendar days.

If you have completed a Preliminary Enquiry you should choose whether to requisition or self-lay the required infrastructure and complete application form for the chosen option. New Appointee applications are made by the selected NAV who will make an application on your behalf.

From April 2018 all Developers working with Bristol Water may be contacted by our regulator, Ofwat, to ask for feedback on Bristol Water and the service we provide. If you do not want to be contacted please inform a member of our Development Service or New Supplies team and we will pass that on to Ofwat.

What happens after I submit my application?

Once we receive your form, we will contact you to arrange an appointment for one of our Network Site Agents to visit and meet with you to discuss your requirements. During the visit they will also give you any advice you may need.

For more information about getting a new Water Supply and the Water Regulations regarding the work, please contact us.

As of April 2018, all Developers working with Bristol Water may be contacted by our regulator, Ofwat, to ask for feedback on Bristol Water and the service we provide. If you do not want to be contacted please inform a member of our Development Services or New Supplies team and we will pass that on to Ofwat.

Popular developer services

New appointments & variants (NAVs)

New appointments & variants (NAVs)

Information and guidance on NAVs

Find out more about NAVs

Self-lay provider (SLP) information

Self-lay provider (SLP) information

Find out what SLPs can do for you

Find out more about SLPs

Developer Charges & Regulations

Developer Charges & Regulations

What we charge developers and why

Find out more about developer charges

Small-scale projects

Small-scale projects

Advice for homeowners and builders

Find out more about small-scale projects

Large scale projects

Large scale projects

Advice for large developments

Find out more about large-scale projects

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