The NI Assembly has introduced new legislation, to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the future adoption and maintenance of all sewers and lateral drains which connect to the public sewer network.

From 23 May 2016, for anyone wanting to connect a new sewer or lateral drain to the existing public sewer network within NI Water’s operational area, approval to connect to a public sewer will be conditional on obtaining a sewer adoption agreement with NI Water.

This is to ensure that in the future all private sewers and lateral drains connected to a public sewer will be adopted by NI Water.  The new legislation also permits NI Water to refuse surface water connections to the public sewer network, and the applicant to consider alternative means for disposal.

The scope for adoption of development drainage systems, will also be extended to cover specified sustainable drainage components.