Agricultural supplies

What to do if you need a new water supply for taking care of livestock or watering crops.

Types of agricultural supplies

Here you'll find guidance on how to get a new connection for an agricultural supply and how to lay your pipework correctly. Before you start, check if your site is in our area.

How to get a new water connection for an agricultural supply

Submit your application (including supporting documents) and pay the application fee. You’ll need to show us:

  • Where you plan on laying your private supply pipe.

  • A soil report if you’re laying your private supply pipe on a non-greenfield site. The outcome of this report will determine whether the supply pipe needs to be MDPE or barrier pipe.

Once we’ve got your application, we’ll complete checks on our network to make sure we’re able to supply water to your desired location. 

If we have everything we need from you, your application will be progressed to the next stage, and you’ll be assigned a dedicated Customer Connection Manager – they’ll be your point of contact from this point onwards.

If we need extra information to progress your application, we’ll be in touch to support you.

Your dedicated Customer Connection Manager will call you to arrange for us to visit your site on a date and time that works for you. 

Whilst we’re on site, we'll check your plans and assess the work needed to get you connected. We’ll leave you with a drawing and supporting guidance so you know exactly where and how to lay your private supply pipe. 

As well as a drawing and supporting guidance, we’ll give you a tailored quote for making the water connection. Your quote comes with an acceptance form that you’ll need to sign when you’re ready for us to inspect the private supply pipe and the trough or standpipe. 

Remember: Quotes are valid for six months. If you’re not ready within six months, you’ll need to apply again and pay a new application fee.

You can now lay your supply pipe and install your standpipe/trough in line with the plans and supporting guidance we left you when we first visited your site.

Now that you’ve laid your supply pipe and installed your trough/standpipe, you can now pay your quote and send us your signed acceptance form. This tells us that you’re ready for an inspection and want us to make the water connection for you.  

Once we’ve received your signed acceptance form and you make your payment we’ll call you to book a suitable date and time to inspect your private pipework.

Our Connection Project Manager will visit on the date agreed to check that your pipework has been laid correctly. 

Remember: If your private pipework doesn’t meet the requirements to pass an inspection first time around, you’ll be responsible for putting things right, and you may need to pay an additional fee for us to visit again and reinspect it. 

We’ll make the new connection to our water network and the supply can be used. 

We aim to connect you within 21 days of the passed inspection however connections through private land, or locations where traffic management is needed may take longer (this can be up to three months depending on highways permits and land entry requirements). 

Use an approved plumber

A Water Industry Approved Plumber (WIAPS) is fully qualified and trusted by UK water companies to work to the highest standards. They are trained to meet water regulations, carry the necessary insurance, and can certify their own work - saving you time and hassle. 

Choosing a WIAPS plumber means your installation is safe, legal, and done right first time.

Instead of physical site inspection, you'll just need to provide evidence of your contractor's accreditation and photos showing that the private supply pipe has been laid to the agreed point outline when we visited your site.

Find an approved plumber

Things to consider before you apply

It’s important to check the location of our existing water mains before applying. 

Knowing this upfront helps you plan the most cost-effective way to connect. Keep in mind: the farther the main is from your trough or standpipe, the higher the cost for materials and labour.

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Your quote is valid for six months from the date we send it. This means your supply pipe needs to be laid and the connection completed within that time.

Before applying, just make sure you’re ready to go ahead within six months.

If you’re planning to supply one trough or standpipe – consider applying for a 25mm to 32mm connection.

If you’re planning to supply more than one trough or standpipe – contact us beforehand so we can understand your requirements as you may need a 50mm or more connection (which costs more).

Before we can make the new connection, you’ll need to show us that you have permission to work on land that’s owned by someone else.

Agricultural supplies are classed as non-household so you’ll need to set up a billing account with your retailer once your new connection is made. The retailer will then manage all future billing, meter reading and account queries.

Not sure who your retailer is? If you’re already paying for other non-household supplies check your bill.

If you don’t have a retailer yet, you’ll be able to choose one once your new connection has been registered. If you don’t choose, you’ll be assigned a retailer automatically.

If you need any additional help around billing non-household water supplies visit Open Water.

If you’re planning to extend or change the use of your existing metered pipework, you need to tell us by sending us a Regulation 5 form. 

Keeping us updated about changes in water use helps us to manage our network effectively and make sure there’s enough water for everyone at all times.

Read our installation guidance

Learn more about installing troughs and standpipes correctly ahead of an inspection.

Apply for a new agricultural supply

Once you know the connection size you need, you can apply to connect your agricultural supply to our existing water network. Application fees are required.

If you need help finding the right application form to use, get in touch with our team - they're here to help.