Direct sewer connection

Direct connections can be made to the public sewer by four main methods depending upon the size of the sewer and individual circumstances. These are:

Junction insertion
Saddle connection
Connection to an existing manhole
Construction of a new manhole

Backdrop manhole connections are not generally approved unless there are extenuating circumstances and must not be constructed without our prior approval.

Types of connections and methods

Junction insertions

This method is to be used predominantly for connecting a maximum of 3 properties to sewers of 300mm diameter or less, except where otherwise agreed with Anglian Water.

The inserted junction shall be joined to the existing sewer by flexible couplings complying with Water Industry Specification No. 4-41-01. The WIS specification issued for flexible couplings comprises a moulded elastomeric sleeve with two stainless steel clamping bands and a stainless steel shear band.
The section of sewer to be removed must be 20mm longer than the junction pipe to be inserted. A purpose made chain cutter or disc saw must be used for the cutting operation.
The existing sewer must not be cut within 500mm of a joint unless it is intended to remove that joint.
The cut section(s) of sewer pipe shall be kept available on site for inspection by our onsite Development Services Representative
The existing sewer and new junction must be surrounded with granular material before backfilling commences. The granular material shall be in accordance with Table A.2 of Information and Guidance Note No. 4-08-01 and should be a minimum of 300mm above the existing sewer. The use of pea gravel is not acceptable i.e. single size material graded from 9.6mm (3/8”) downwards.

Junction insertions are not to be fixed to the top of the pipe/sewer, ideally these should be fixed in the ten o’clock or two o’clock position.

Saddle connections (Fabekun or similar approved)

Saddle connections will predominantly only be permitted on existing concrete or brick sewers or where Anglian Water give permission for technical or safety reasons.

The hole for the saddle is to be core drilled only; no other method (i.e. jack hammer or steel saw) may be used for creating the opening. The saddle shall be fixed to the existing sewer pipe with an epoxy mortar (resin hardener base with coarse sand mixture). After the curing time a 20 N/sq mm sulphate resisting concrete surround is to be placed around the saddle connection. Backfilling of the trench shall not take place until the saddle is fixed firmly and will not be dislodged by backfilling and has been inspected and approved by the Anglian Water Development Services Representative.

Saddles are not to be fixed to the top of the pipe/sewer; ideally these should be fixed in the ten o’clock or two o’clock position.

Manhole connections

Connection to an existing manhole

Please be aware that entry will not be permitted into a manhole until a valid permit/SAAA is issued by Anglian Water.

When a connection into an existing public sewer manhole is approved, specific guidance will be given. However, in general the following procedure will apply:

The manhole should be core drilled and a short length of pipe inserted. All connections should be made soffit to soffit. The short pipes will be clayware or concrete, the use of porous concrete or plastic pipes is not acceptable.
An appropriate channel bend (i.e. slipper) should be used to direct flow into the sewer. The channel bend must be of clayware.
A rocker pipe shall be joined to the short pipe built into the manhole. The length of the rocker pipe shall be 600mm for a connection pipe not greater than 450mm in diameter.

Connection to a new manhole

It shall be built in accordance with the Sewerage Sector Guidance - DCG, except where a special manhole is required in which case details will be supplied by Anglian Water.

Manhole covers to be BS EN 124 Class D400, regardless of location unless otherwise agreed.

Pumped connections

It is not acceptable for a private pumping/rising main to be connected directly to the public sewer. The main must be connected to a privately owned length of gravity sewer, which is in turn connected to a new or existing manhole on the public sewer.

Similarly, it is not possible to connect directly to a pumped sewer, the connection should be made via a privately owned gravity fed run.

Vacuum sewers

Vacuum sewerage systems are different to conventional gravity systems in that connections can only be made to a vacuum pot (the chambers on the vacuum system) and not directly to the vacuum pipework.

Vacuum pots have limited capacity and are only able to accept connections from 4 properties. Connections into vacuum pots are only permitted via gravity; pumped connections are not permitted into a vacuum pot.

Surface water must not under any circumstances be discharged to a vacuum sewer. Alternative arrangements for surface water disposal would need to be explored in accordance with Anglian Water’s Surface Water Drainage Policy.

When we receive your application, we will undertake an initial site assessment to establish whether a vacuum pot exists with spare capacity to accept a gravity connection from your development. If there is a vacuum pot with spare capacity that can be connected to by gravity, this will be your designated point of connection. You will be required to undertake all works necessary to connect the new property(s) to the vacuum pot.

If there are no pots available to serve the development, we will progress the application in one of two ways, depending on how many properties there are. A brief description of these options is provided below, more information can also be found in our online guide here. Please contact us on 03456 066087 (option 2) should you wish to discuss these options in more detail.

New developments comprising one plot only or one existing property

AW will construct a new pot for your development to connect to. Our contract partner will design and deliver the works and work closely with you to discuss the works required. The works we will undertake is limited to the following: -

· One new vacuum pot including all valves and a stub pipe* for you to connect to.

· A connection to the existing vacuum main and a maximum of 5m of vacuum main between the existing vacuum main and the new pot.

· All other related works, road closures, reinstatement etc.

*the stub pipe is a short length of pipe that is provided to preclude the need for you to break into the new pot. It is not a section of pipe (lateral) that extends from the pot to the site boundary.

If 5m of vacuum main does not position the new pot close enough to the development to permit a gravity connection, or if you require the pot brought closer for your convenience, you will be required to fund the additional vacuum main required to achieve this. We will provide a cost for the works you’re required to fund, and we will require payment in full before works commence on site. The costs will be reconciled upon completion of the works and you will be invoiced for any payment shortfall or reimbursed the value of any overpayment.

Should you require a lateral pipe to be laid from the new pot to the site boundary, you will be required to fund this part of the work in the same way as outlined above. You will be required to undertake all works necessary to connect the new property to the new vacuum pot.

Please be advised that from 1st April 2024 our policy regarding the provision of new pots for single household plots will change. If there is no existing pot available, it will be the customer’s responsibility to engage the appropriate Vacuum Contractor (which Anglian Water will confirm) to design and construct a new pot. Alternatively, the customer will have the option to requisition the provision of a new pot from Anglian Water. For both options, the works required to provide the pot will be funded by the customer and will no longer be funded by Anglian Water. Our guidance notes will be amended to reflect these changes on 1st April 2024, however, should you have any queries in the meantime please call our Drainage Team on 03456 066087 option 2.

New developments comprising two or more plots

If the development comprises of two or more plots, you will be required to undertake all works necessary to connect the plots to the vacuum system including the installation of any new pots and any extension of the vacuum main.

The new vacuum system will need to compatible with the existing vacuum system to ensure that the new system functions effectively. We will advise which manufacturer you will need to employ to design and construct the vacuum main extension. We will also advise which part of the existing network the vacuum main extension needs to be laid from. This may not necessarily be the Vac main which is closest to the development site.

You are also required to apply to have the new vacuum main and the pots adopted by Anglian Water.

Dealing with flows

For smaller diameter pipelines with relatively low flows it may be possible to stopper off the sewer at the upstream manhole provided that the stopper is not inserted until:

A permit to enter/SAAA has been obtained (please see Manhole Connections" above for further information).

Work on cutting the sewer is about to commence and that adequate checks are made during the course of the work to ensure that flooding will not occur upstream of the works.

A rope shall be fitted to an expandable stopper and tied to a manhole step iron or other suitable fixing point within the manhole. This will prevent the stopper blocking the pipeline should it loosen during the course of the works. After the connection has been made the stopper shall be loosened and the pressure allowed to reduce from behind the stopper. This will then enable it to be removed when it is considered safe to do so.

For larger diameter sewers with high flows it will be necessary to over pump from the upstream to the downstream manhole. The contractor carrying out the work must ensure, before work commences, that a pump with sufficient capacity to deal with normal flow, is available together with adequate lengths of suction and delivery hoses for over pumping.

Please contact us to discuss your over pumping proposals and ensure this method has been agreed prior to works taking place.

No cutting of any type of public sewer shall be started if heavy rainfall is likely to occur before completion of the connection.

Trunk sewers and special sewers

Should a connection be required to a trunk foul sewer or other special sewer a detailed method statement will be required for the connection works. The method statement will have to be submitted and agreed by Anglian Water prior to the works being commenced.

The following are classified as trunk sewers or special sewers:

Large diameter sewers over 600mm diameter.
Brick culverts
Box culverts.
Non-circular sewers.
Sewers of non-standard materials i.e. pitch fibre, cast iron, asbestos cement, plastic.

Excavation

You are required to excavate down to the public sewer at the agreed connection point and fully expose a sufficient length of pipe to enable the work to be carried out efficiently. Should you find that the public sewer is damaged, you should immediately notify the relevant Development Services team and an Anglian Water representative will visit the site and instruct you how to proceed.

Anglian Water will not be held responsible for any delay or additional costs incurred due to defects in the sewer.

Where the excavation is within the public highway the full requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act, Traffic Management Act and the specification for the reinstatement of openings in highways must be met. You are also required to serve any relevant notices required under the New Roads and Street Works/Traffic Management Acts.

Please remember it's your responsibility to ensure all works are planned and carried out in accordance with the requirements of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Septic tanks and cesspits

Septic tanks and cesspits are private drainage systems and are not the responsibility of Anglian Water.

A septic tank is a small sewage treatment system used for properties where there's no connection to main sewer pipes available. Sewage drains into the septic tank from one or more properties and is treated by bacteria in the tank. Septic tanks usually have an outlet to an effluent drain or soak-away. Septic tanks are owned and maintained by the owner(s) of the property(ies) they serve.

If your community rely on private sewerage systems, such as septic tanks and they are causing you and your local environment a problem, you could apply to have a public sewerage system through our First Time Sewerage Scheme.

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Methods of direct sewer connections