MKI Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 (edited) We have been struggling for over a year to get our local water company to design and quote for laying on our sewage pipe under our residential road (we have clean water sorted). South West Water have been unable to quote (too busy) and all suppliers are reliant on them. We were originally quoted £50K verbally but all quotes from private suppliers are coming in at £150K plus - a lot of this seems to be quoting based on massive housing developments and we will be the only house using it and are not allowed a water treatment plan on site. Much of the cost seems to be associated with road closure, hiring kit and dealing with South West Water. We are on a two ended quiet residential street, not a main through road. I am sure I am not the only self builder who has this challenge. Has anyone come across a pragmatic and sensible provider we could approach (South West UK) Edited August 4, 2021 by MKI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 How far to the sewer? And is it all along a road or other properties? Septic tank would be a lot cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKI Posted August 4, 2021 Author Share Posted August 4, 2021 (edited) 165 metres. Not allowed a septic tank as a planning condition due to TPO and slopping site. New regs in 2020 has made tanks a lot more difficult. Also had to have an attenuation tank Edited August 4, 2021 by MKI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epsilonGreedy Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Most people don't want sewage supplied to their property ? Seriously though given those figures you are in a pickle and I think you need a pro on your side to provide advice. Given the £50k to £150k quotes you are well past the threshold where most self builders will consider a solution that does not require mains foul drainage. The road closure cost is a fraction of the numbers you are being given. A suitable contractor for that scale of job should have their own plant so I do not understand the hire charge, is there anything unusual about the 165m dig route? Why not upload a sketch of your plot and the dig route into this discussion thread and let some of the more experienced forum members produce a cost estimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triassic Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 How about bypassing the problem and go direct to the CEO at the water company, maybe even copy in your MP to the correspondence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 165m seems a long way. I assume that none of you neighbours are connected to mains sewer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKI Posted August 4, 2021 Author Share Posted August 4, 2021 Mr Punter; Although we are in a town boundary the sewer only comes part the way up the road. Our quotes were perfectly reasonable from SW Water 2 years ago but COVID has moved things on and the regulations have all changed. We will be the only one of many houses on the sewer (until they redevelop and then they will have to change from their Cesspits to mains sewage). The new regulations have scuppered other self builders due to the spaces needed for the new systems. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BE ON M MAINS SEWAGE. The reason for my post is to see who others have used ..................I know we can self dig if our plans are approved but no building contractor wants to touch it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Sounds like a perfect Scenario for a treatment plant We where quoted 25k plus vat for mains sewer bringing to the boundary Less than 3k for a TP Lower water rates Only needs emptying every 3-5 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKI Posted August 4, 2021 Author Share Posted August 4, 2021 Mr Punter; Although we are in a town boundary the sewer only comes part the way up the road. Our quotes were perfectly reasonable from SW Water 2 years ago but COVID has moved things on and the regulations have all changed. We will be the only one of many houses on the sewer (until they redevelop and then they will have to change from their Cesspits to mains sewage). The new regulations have scuppered other self builders due to the spaces needed for the new systems. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BE ON M MAINS SEWAGE. The reason for my post is to see who others have used ..................I know we can self dig if our plans are approved but no building contractor wants to touch it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKI Posted August 4, 2021 Author Share Posted August 4, 2021 Nod - been up that avenue. Due to a tree preservation order the only bit of the site we can use is the bit with the house on and that has to be on pads and steels so sadly no treatment plant either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 55 minutes ago, MKI said: Nod - been up that avenue. Due to a tree preservation order the only bit of the site we can use is the bit with the house on and that has to be on pads and steels so sadly no treatment plant either. That’s bad luck Personally I think disposal of sewage is one of the main considerations when buying a plot The annoying thing with these quotes is The work will nearly always be subcontracted out with the contractor getting about 60% of what you are being quoted It will depend if you can work around this for now Sure contractors are all mad busy now That could change in a few months ID ask SW water for a list of there contractors and contact them all Even if it means you having to wait a few months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, MKI said: We will be the only one of many houses on the sewer (until they redevelop and then they will have to change from their Cesspits to mains sewage). So "your" 160m sewer will be going past other houses currently not on mains sewerage? Perhaps see if other people in the road can be persuaded to write asking there are any plans to provide "first time mains sewerage connections" in the road? Edit to add: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/developer-services/sewer-services-and-connections/first-time-sewerage/ Edited August 4, 2021 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epsilonGreedy Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, nod said: ID ask SW water for a list of there contractors and contact them all Much to recommend this, my mains foul drain was connected under the public road by a small approved contractor based 8 miles down the road, think they only employ a handful of guys and the boss does most of the work. The OP might get better quotes off local outfits. 12 minutes ago, nod said: It will depend if you can work around this for now Sure contractors are all mad busy now That could change in a few months ... Even if it means you having to wait a few months The best policy here might be some temporary sewage storage tank onsite that facilitates occupation of the house and buys time. In a year or two the current commercial madness might have passed or even some new self builder might be looking to share costs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 On 04/08/2021 at 16:18, MKI said: .... been up that avenue. Due to a tree preservation order ... Heres the West Lancs answer to that problem.... (not joking) While you are away on holiday, a very nice man with oversize tool comes to your site at 6am. on Sunday morning. Tree drops. He leaves. You return. You need proper tree surgeon to clear up. The official wheels grind. In absentia you are found Bang to Rights. A year later you make an offer to pay the fine at £10 per century Meanwhile back at the ranch, you are enjoying limitless ablution rights a price that doesn't make you feel ever so slightly better go lightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 On 04/08/2021 at 16:17, MKI said: Mr Punter; Although we are in a town boundary the sewer only comes part the way up the road. Our quotes were perfectly reasonable from SW Water 2 years ago but COVID has moved things on and the regulations have all changed. We will be the only one of many houses on the sewer (until they redevelop and then they will have to change from their Cesspits to mains sewage). The new regulations have scuppered other self builders due to the spaces needed for the new systems. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BE ON M MAINS SEWAGE. The reason for my post is to see who others have used ..................I know we can self dig if our plans are approved but no building contractor wants to touch it! You have to factor the cost of mains sewer connection into the house price which is why you bought it and not a builder. Sorry for the bad news but there it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 https://www.treehugger.com/best-composting-toilets-5078179 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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