--- title: "Uisce Éireann Connections" description: "Connections run as your agent, from the pre connection enquiry to handover, with diversions and build over agreements." updated: "2026-10-12" url: "https://www.petruf.ie/services/civil-engineering/irish-water-connections" --- # Uisce Éireann Connections > Connections run as your agent, from the pre connection enquiry to handover, with diversions and build over agreements. Every development that connects to the public water or wastewater network goes through Uisce Éireann, the body that was Irish Water. It is a sequence of applications, each with a wait, and the waits add up to the better part of a year before anyone is connected. We run it as the client's agent: the pre connection enquiry, the design submission, the connection application and agreement, the diversion of any Uisce Éireann pipe that crosses the site, and the build over or build near agreement where a building comes close to one. On site we attend the quality checks and pressure tests, produce the as built drawings, and close out the defects period until the network is handed over. The water and wastewater design itself is part of the drainage design. ## What we handle ### Pre connection enquiry The first application, at the start of the design, which returns a Confirmation of Feasibility for the planning application. ### Design submission Layouts to the Uisce Éireann Code of Practice and standard details, for its Statement of Design Acceptance. ### Connection application and agreement The application after planning, the connection offer, and the agreement it becomes. ### Diversions Moving an Uisce Éireann main or sewer that crosses the site, from the application to the as built record. ### Build over and build near Agreements and method statements where a building comes within the separation distance of a public pipe. ### Site quality checks Attendance at Uisce Éireann's inspections and pressure tests, and non conformances closed out through construction. ### As built drawings The record drawings and test results the handover needs. ### Defects and handover The defects period closed out, the completion certificate obtained and the security released. ## The process, and how long it takes The averages are Uisce Éireann's own. The stages run one after another, so the first application is worth making as early as the design allows. ### Pre connection enquiry: Uisce Éireann checks there is capacity and returns a Confirmation of Feasibility, which goes in with the planning application About 16 weeks on average. ### Design acceptance: The water and wastewater layout is checked against the Code of Practice and a Statement of Design Acceptance issued Before the planning application is finalised. ### Connection application: After permission, the application is made and Uisce Éireann issues a connection offer About 16 weeks on average. ### Connection agreement: The offer is accepted and becomes the agreement, setting out the quality checks, upgrades and charges On acceptance. ### Construction: The developer builds the network, Uisce Éireann's field engineers inspect it, and the mains are pressure tested With the build. ### Connection: Uisce Éireann obtains the road opening licence and makes the connection About 12 weeks from the licence. ### Handover: A conformance certificate starts a 12 month defects period, then final checks, a completion certificate and the security released 12 months or more. ## What you receive One office between the client and Uisce Éireann, from the first enquiry to the last certificate. - Every application prepared and submitted as your agent, and the correspondence handled - Layouts to the Code of Practice and standard details in force for the application - Diversion and build over applications, with the method statements and surveys they need - Attendance at site quality checks and pressure tests - As built drawings and the records the handover needs - The defects period closed out and the network handed over ## From our projects ### [Ardbrae Park](https://www.petruf.ie/projects/public-infrastructure/ardbrae-park) The Irish Water pre connection enquiries and diversion applications for twenty nine houses, run alongside the drawings to keep them off the critical path. ## The questions that come first ### How long does an Uisce Éireann connection take? On Uisce Éireann's own averages, about sixteen weeks from the pre connection enquiry to a Confirmation of Feasibility, sixteen weeks from the connection application to an offer, and twelve weeks from the road opening licence to the connection, with the construction and its inspections in between. ### What is a Statement of Design Acceptance? Uisce Éireann's acceptance of the water and wastewater layout for a development of more than one home, checked against its Code of Practice and standard details before the planning application is finalised. ### Can I build over an Irish Water sewer? Rarely. Never over a public water main. Over a sewer only for an extension to an existing house, only where the sewer is small, and only under a build over agreement with a method statement. Inside the separation distance from a pipe, a build near agreement is needed instead. ### Who pays to divert an Uisce Éireann pipe? The applicant: the design, the works and Uisce Éireann's supervision, and a refundable bond may be asked for. Early engagement on a diversion is free, and planning conditions often require the diversion to be agreed in writing before work starts. ### When does Uisce Éireann take over a development's pipes? After the conformance certificate, a twelve month defects period and a final check. Uisce Éireann then issues a completion certificate and releases the developer's security. Roads, lighting and usually surface water are taken in charge separately by the council. ### What does a connection cost? Under the Water Charges Plan in force since 17 November 2023, the standard charge for a gravity connection of up to 10 m is €2,272 for water and €3,929 for wastewater per home for up to five homes, €1,848 and €3,499 per home for 6 to 100, and €1,708 and €3,381 per home above 100. Longer connections and network upgrades cost more. Check the current charges before relying on them. ### Can my engineer apply to Uisce Éireann for me? Yes. Uisce Éireann accepts applications from an agent acting for the developer, which is how we run them: every submission and every reply goes through one office.