Section 104 new sewer adoption
Section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991 provides a mechanism for newly-constructed private sewers and pumping stations to be ‘adopted’ by the local sewerage authority, who will then maintain them at their own expense.
Appropriate information must be provided so that the authority can determine whether the sewer will be suitable for adoption. A Technical Vetting and Administration Fee (TVA) will be payable which is 2.5% of the estimated construction cost.
A Section 104 adoption agreement must be entered into before construction of the sewers begins. A bond is also required which is 10% of the estimated construction cost.
The sewer must be designed and constructed so that it complies with the requirements of sewers for adoption, and the appropriate permissions must be in place. Where connection to the public sewer is required, a sewer connection application must be made under Section 106 of the Water Industry Act.
As-built drawings of the sewer must be provided to the authority.
Once the local sewerage authority is satisfied with the condition of the sewers, they will issue a provisional certificate of completion. The applicant then remains responsible for the maintenance and repair of the sewers for an agreed period (typically 3 to 12 months), after which a final inspection is undertaken. Once any required remedial works have been completed a final certificate of completion will be issued and the bond will be released.
Section 102 of the Water Industry Act, allows the owner of an existing private sewer to apply for the adoption of their sewer.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Drainage.
- French drain.
- Groundwater control in urban areas.
- Highway drainage.
- Planning for floods.
- Private sewer.
- Public sewer.
- Rainwater harvesting.
- Safe working in drains and sewers.
- Section 102 existing sewer adoption.
- Septic tank.
- Sewer construction.
- Sewerage.
- Soakaway.
- Soil vent pipe.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS.
- Water engineering.
- Water transfers and interconnections.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.




















