Building over or near our sewer pipes

What to do if you’re planning an extension or home improvement.

If your project involves building over or near our sewer pipes, you’re likely to need our approval before you can start. We look after public sewers, so it’s important we check your building plans to keep everything safe, for your home and our network.

This guidance is for homeowners extending existing properties.

You can also book an appointment to check our maps at our Head Office, in Coventry

Maps are for guidance only, so be sure to double-check the layout of the sewer pipes whilst on site too.
Since October 2011, many private sewers were transferred to local water companies, meaning we now maintain most shared drains and sewers across our region. However, most of these pipes don’t appear on maps.
If you’re unsure whether there’s a public sewer on your property, call us on 0345 266 7930 before purchasing a set of maps. Maps must be purchased from DigDat – we’re unable to issue copies.

*A non-refundable fee applies

You must contact us if -

You must get in touch with us before making an application if your building work:

There are some occasions where we’ll give you permission to build within a protected zone. This depends on the size of the sewer pipe and the type of work involved. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Protected zones depend on sewer pipe size

Choosing the right application type for your project

If you're planning to build over or close to a public sewer, you can apply for a Formal Build Over Agreement or you can Self-Certify your project. Picking the right application to begin with will help prevent unnecessary delays. Use the table below to help you choose the right application for your extension or home improvement.

If you still need help picking the right application form to use, contact our Build Over team on 0345 266 7930 – they’re here to help.