Right to Connect
The statutory right of an owner or occupier of premises, under s.106 Water Industry Act 1991, to have their drains or private sewer communicate with the public sewer, subject to giving notice to the sewerage undertaker.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Section 106 of the Water Industry Act 1991 gives the owner or occupier of premises, or the owner of a private sewer draining premises, an entitlement to have their drains or sewer communicate with the public sewer of a sewerage undertaker so as to discharge foul water and surface water. The right is not automatic in practice: a person wishing to exercise it must first give notice of their proposals to the sewerage undertaker in question.
The undertaker is not powerless to refuse. At any time within twenty-one days after a sewerage undertaker receives a notice, it may refuse to permit the communication if the mode of construction or condition of the drain or sewer does not satisfy the standards it reasonably requires, or would be prejudicial to its sewerage system, and it may require the drain to be laid open for inspection. Disputes about the reasonableness of a refusal, or of any requirement imposed as a condition of connection, can be referred to the water and sewerage regulator for determination.
Related terms
Official sources
This explanation is drawn from the official sources below; every substantive statement is verified against them. For advice on a specific matter, see our find help page.