Charging Arrangements for New Connection Services
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Charging arrangements for new connection services 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Version 3 Pre-publication version 1 Index Charging arrangements 1. Introduction .................................................................................... 3 2. You have a choice ............................................................................. 3 Water charging arrangements ................................................................ 5 3. Service connections .......................................................................... 6 4. New water mains .............................................................................. 12 5. Water main diversions ........................................................................ 18 6. Adoptions and self-lay ........................................................................ 21 Wastewater charging arrangements ........................................................ 24 7. Waste connections and new lateral drains ............................................. 25 8. New sewers ..................................................................................... 29 9. Sewer diversions ................................................................................ 32 10. Adoptions ........................................................................................ 35 General charging arrangements .............................................................. 37 11. Payment terms and security ............................................................... 38 12. Transition arrangements .................................................................... 39 13. Maintaining the broad balance of charges ............................................. 40 14. Special circumstances ........................................................................ 41 Appendices .......................................................................................... 42 Appendix A - Worked examples ................................................................. 43 Appendix B - Traffic management ............................................................. 52 Appendix C - Definitions and abbreviations ................................................. 53 Appendix D - Summary of changes ............................................................ 55 Infrastructure Charges 2020/21 58 Other services we offer 62 Pre-publication version Revision history Change made in February 2020 Example 8 design fees updated. Changes made in March 2020 Text in table 4.11.3 amended to remove accidental duplication and more accurately describe what the design fee covers. Note showing key to contestable and non-contestable charges moved under table 7.7.2. In 8.3.1, reference to section 8.10 deleted. Table 9.4.8 moved and superscript ‘NC’ deleted. Text in table 10.3 amended to more accurately describe what the application fee covers. In 14.3.1, pipe diameter amended to 355mm. Page headers in Infrastructure Charges updated to correct year. Table 2 of this section amended to remove reference to minimum loading units for domestic appliances. Table in ‘Other services we offer’ amended to show correct charges for consent directly and indirectly connect to a public sewer. 2 Introduction / You have a choice 1.6.2 requests for a supply of water for non-domestic purposes. 1. Introduction However, as the cost of providing the connection is not affected materially by the end use, the charges set out in this document will be applied to any agreement relating to Scope water supplies for non-domestic purposes under section 55 of the Act 1.1 These Charging Arrangements are made in accordance with the Charging Rules for New Connection 1.6.3 charges relating to work carried out in accordance with the Services (English Undertakers) published by Ofwat. New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 or other legislation. We describe our charges and methods for calculating This is where we are required to move our apparatus as a charges and credits that might apply during the period result of transport, bridge, highway or other infrastructure from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 in relation to: projects. For more information about these changes see developers.thameswater.co.uk/Working-in-the-street 1.1.1 the provision of New Water Mains and New Sewers 1.6.4 charges relating to consents to discharge Trade Effluent 1.1.2 the provision of Service Connections, Lateral Drains and from any trade premises, which are covered in our Charges Waste Connections Scheme at thameswater.co.uk/Help-and-Advice/ 1.1.3 Adoption Agreements and Self-Lay Agreements and Customer-Commitment/Helpful-literature 1.1.4 Diversions 1.6.5 charges relating to requests made by water supply and sewerage licensees under sections 66A and 117A of the Water Industry Act 1991. These are retailers providing water and / or wastewater services to non-household customers 1.2 These Charging Arrangements do not cover Infrastructure 1.6.6 charges that may be imposed in relation to bulk supply or Charges that are payable when a property is connected to bulk discharge agreements with other water and sewerage the water and / or wastewater networks for the first time. undertakers. Details of the services we can provide and Details of these charges are contained in our Charges the charges payable are set out in our Wholesale Tariff Scheme, which is published separately at thameswater. Document at wholesale.thameswater.co.uk co.uk/Help-and-Advice/Customer-Commitment/ 1.6.7 You can view our assurance statement on our website at Helpful-literature. For information purposes only, we have developers.thameswater.co.uk included at the end of this document our Infrastructure Charges and credits for 2020-21. 1.3 These Charging Arrangements explain our requirements for security in relation to our charges and the times and 2. You have a choice methods of payment that you can use to pay our charges. These Charging Arrangements explain our Transitional 2.1.1 When getting new pipes or diverting Arrangements. existing ones, we want you to choose the 1.4 These Charging ArrangementsPre-publication are applicable for work installer thatversion best suits your site needs and carried out between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021 and timescales. This might not be us. will be updated and published annually. 2.1.2 Self-lay providers (SLPs) might be able to offer cost-effective 1.5 All charges are stated excluding VAT. terms and fit in better with construction programmes, and might also offer the installation of multiple utilities. Self-lay 1.6 Under the Charging Rules we are not required to publish schemes receive equivalent service from us as all other jobs, charges in these Charging Arrangements relating to: and SLPs are accredited to all the standards required for us 1.6.1 services not listed in section 1.1 above, such as consents to to adopt the pipework at completion. You can find SLPs to connect to a public sewer under section 106 of the Water contact for competitive quotes on the Lloyd’s Register at Industry Act 1991. For information purposes only, we have lr.org/wirs. included these additional services on page 62 along with our charges. You can find more details about these other services on our website at developers.thameswater.co.uk 3 You have a choice 2.1.3 Self-lay providers can carry out the majority of the work involved in laying new water pipes or diverting existing ones – known as ‘Contestable’ work. ‘Non-Contestable’ work – representing a small portion of water services – remains our responsibility even if you choose to use an SLP, and we will work in partnership with them to carry this out. Our approach to the self-lay of water infrastructure can be found on our website at thameswater.co.uk/selflay. Changes related to the Code for Adoption are coming later in the year and will be communicated separately. 2.1.4 As we publish fixed rates for most of the work, you will be able to make a direct comparison between a quote from a self-lay provider and what we are likely to charge you without having to get a quote from us. 2.1.5 We do not normally lay or divert new drains or sewers, as you are generally able to do this yourself, subject to meeting the requirements for consent and adoption that are detailed on our website. In certain circumstances we may exercise our right to carry out some of the work, such as when a connection is being made to a strategic or trunk sewer. You can find more details on our website atdevelopers. thameswater.co.uk. 2.1.6 Remember that you must tell us before making a connection to our water or wastewater networks, and that Infrastructure Charges will be payable to us in addition to the cost of the works, even if you arrange the works yourself. 2.1.7 In addition to the option of self-lay, if you are (or you represent) a non-household customer you have the option of asking your chosen retailer to arrange the connection on your behalf. Developers and large users have the option of entering into an agreement with other water and / or sewerage undertakers (sometimes known as NAVs) to serve a specific geographical area (sometimes known as an inset) within our supply area, in which case they will arrange new connections. Pre-publication version 4 Water charging arrangements Pre-publication version 5 Service connections 3. Service 3.2 Who can carry out the works? 3.2.1 Service Connections with an external diameter up to connections 63mm are Contestable. This means self-lay providers (SLPs) can carry out these works for you, unless we assess that the condition of the main or the