Frequently asked questions

Infrastructure charges are permitted by Section 146 of the Water Industry Act 1991, and are:

• Fixed charges made for each new connection to water mains.
• Intended to cover the general ongoing cost of developing the local network to take account of new demands placed upon it.
• At a level set by Ofwat.

In assessing the infrastructure charges that are payable for a development, we make an allowance for any premises that were on the site and used water within the previous five years.

Infrastructure charges are applicable to:

• New houses and flats.
• Additional new premises on the site of demolished premises.
• Conversion of existing buildings into additional units/dwellings.
• First time connection of existing properties.
• New commercial or industrial properties.

This is because The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 are law in England and Wales which clearly state that under Regulation 5 the water supplier (Hartlepool Water) must receive a schedule/list of the water fittings you intend to use.

All we need to know are the brand names and the British Standards WRAS or KIWS approval numbers of each type of fitting so that we know they meet the required standards.

It is not against the law to purchase water fittings that do not meet national standards, but it is against the law to fit them.

This is so that we know that you are not installing pipework in a manner that contravenes the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.