​Apply for a permit
You need a permit to:
- make a new connection directly or indirectly to a public sewer
- modify an existing connection to a public sewer
Drainage connections can be complex. Your works can only be carried out by one of our approved contractors:
Permits are issued to the owner of the property. You can apply on the owner’s behalf.
All drainage installation must conform to the
Drainage (Jersey) law 2005.
To complete the form, you’ll need to upload your drawing detailing:
- the proposed connection point, with horizontal and vertical alignment
- depth, pipe size, pipe material and strength
- connection details, plan and cross-section
- pipe bed and surround
The permit is currently free.
Apply for a drainage connection permit (consent to connect to a public sewer)
Other permissions you need
After you receive your drainage connection permit, you need to apply for other permissions before you can carry out the works.
This is because the main sewer system is public but can be in:
- public, parish or private roads
- public or private land
The permissions you need depends on who is the road or land owner.
If your works is on a public road or land, you’ll need to apply for a:
If the road is owned by a parish, contact them to find out about their requirements.
For works on private road or land, contact the owner.
We’ll advise who you need to contact when we send your permit.
You can check who owns the road on the
road information map.
Drains and sewer systems in Jersey
A drain is the pipe which takes foul or surface water from a property to a sewer.
A sewer collects and takes this water from several properties. Sewers can be private or public.
Most public sewers are in roads and public or private land. If they are in private land, we have a legal right to access the sewer to maintain or repair it.
You cannot build close to or over a public sewer.
If you own a private sewer, you’re responsible for the drain up to when it either:
- crosses over into the public area
- connects to the public sewer
Many private estates have private sewers. In these cases, all owners are responsible for them.
Most modern homes drain into 2 separate sewers for:
- foul waste. This is wastewater such as water from toilets, kitchens and bathrooms
- surface water. This is rainwater such as water from roads, roofs, driveways
Older properties can drain to a combined system where both waters are connected to the same sewer. You can’t make new connections to this type of sewer because of the flooding risks.
Drainage (Jersey) Law, 2005
How to dispose of foul and surface water
Foul water
Foul water from the public sewers goes to Bellozanne at our
sewage treatment works.
Some properties have private drainage systems:
- septic tanks
- soakaway systems
- tight tanks (cesspools)
These may only be able to connect by the installation of a private pumping system.
Request for your septic tank to be emptied by contacting the
septic tank services.
Surface water
Surface water from all roofed and impermeable areas must be separated from the foul water drains and private foul sewers.
To dispose of surface water you could use:
- an on-site soakaway system, permeable paving solution or Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) or a combination of either of these
- a watercourse with a restricted flow
- the nearest public surface water sewer with a restricted flow
If you don’t have room for a soakaway system we may allow you to connect to a water course or a public surface water sewer. Contact us for advice.
If your property is close to the beach, you can’t drained additional surface water to the foreshore without our approval.
Private drains and sewers
If you build a private drain or sewer within the private boundary of a property, it must comply with the:
You’ll need to complete the B5 application for work in connection with a drainage system. Find all
building application forms, checklists and fees.
For more information or guidance, contact
Planning and Building Control.
Drainage requirements for planning applications
You must follow certain requirements depending on the development you’re planning:
For more information contact
Planning and Building Control.
Report a blocked drain
We’re not responsible for all blocked drains.
If you notice a blocked drain on a public road or land, contact us.
You may need to contact the parish or private owner if they’re the owner.
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