Infrastructure charges are separate from and additional to connection charges. This charge is permitted under Section 146 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Infrastructure charges need to be paid by anyone who wishes to build or develop a property and are used to cover the cost of the extra demand on our existing network. This ensures that the extra demand does not reduce the level of service currently enjoyed by other customers in the area.

They are applicable to the following whether connecting directly or indirectly:

Building of new domestic premises, including permanent caravans
Additional new premises on the site of demolished premises
Conversion of existing buildings into additional units/dwellings
First time connection of an existing property
New commercial and industrial units

There are similar infrastructure charges for connections to the sewerage network. If your new property is serviced for sewerage by South West Water, we will also quote those infrastructure charges at the same time as the water connection charge.

For further guidance, please visit https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/developer-services/developer-services-charges/