Can I build on top of a sewer line?

[stevebrookman]

Hello all,
I am considering building a single storey extension to my house. My foul sewer line runs under where I plan to build the extension. I cannot move the line due to space issues. The sewer line is not shared by another house.

Are there any regulations that prevent me building on top of this sewer line?

Regards

Steve

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

No but the foundations may need to be deeper than normal or lintels fitted to walls beneath ground level where the sewer passes through them.

 

[noseall]

I've answered this in building Freddy as the fellow has kindly double posted.

 

[Inder]

Hello,

You will need to obtain a bridge over agreement with your water authority. Generally, when you submit your building regs, building control will contact the water company who will contact you. But that is too late. Quicker to contact your water authority and get the forms. You will need to do a CCTV of the pipe before and after the works. Generally, your foundations will have to deep as the pipe. You will only find out how deep the pipe is after teh CCTV survey. Inder

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hello,

You will need to obtain a bridge over agreement with your water authority.

No a build over is only required with shared sewers.

 

[Inder]

Hello,

You will need to obtain a bridge over agreement with your water authority.

No a build over is only required with shared sewers.

The below is an extract from Planning Portal:-

If you intend to build over or close to a public sewer, you will require written agreement from your Sewerage Undertaker, so you should consult the company at the earliest planning stage of your building work.

Building over an existing drain or sewer can damage pipes, so that they leak or block, potentially leading to odour nuisance, health problems and environmental damage. It also makes it more difficult, time consuming and expensive to clear blockages and repair or replace faulty drains. So if there is an existing drain below, or close to, your proposed extension, it may need to be moved or protected, which is likely to increase the cost of your project.

Kind regards, Inder

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hello,

You will need to obtain a bridge over agreement with your water authority.

No a build over is only required with shared sewers.

The below is an extract from Planning Portal:-

If you intend to build over or close to a public sewer, you will require written agreement from your Sewerage Undertaker, so you should consult the company at the earliest planning stage of your building work.

Building over an existing drain or sewer can damage pipes, so that they leak or block, potentially leading to odour nuisance, health problems and environmental damage. It also makes it more difficult, time consuming and expensive to clear blockages and repair or replace faulty drains. So if there is an existing drain below, or close to, your proposed extension, it may need to be moved or protected, which is likely to increase the cost of your project.

Kind regards, Inder

Yes building over a public sewer (shared) requires a build-over however the OP's drain is private and as such does not need a build-over agreement.