Lanes team supports developer’s sewer adoption programme

Lanes Group engineers are helping one of the UK’s largest residential developers achieve a smooth sewer adoption process at new home sites in Yorkshire and Humberside.

The team at the Lanes depot in Leeds, West Yorkshire, are providing expert sewer adoption advice and support for sites developed by Taylor Wimpey.

Two projects include Crest Park and Fairview Green, both in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Leeds-based Lanes Group is the UK’s largest independent drainage and utility specialist, with 23 operational sites around the UK.

New sewers are adopted by the local water company using a process called a Section 104 agreement, under the Water Industry Act 1991, during which the sewers are formally inspected.

Taylor Wimpey Adoption Engineer Alan Spencer said: “It is important to make sure the sewer system is up to standard before a Section 104 sewer adoption inspection is carried out.

“For Taylor Wimpey, it is also about setting high professional standards and helping make sure the sewer adoption handover process is as efficient and easy as possible for all parties.

“The advice and technical capability provided by the Lanes depot in Leeds forms one element of the assurance we build into the process to make sure sewer adoptions go smoothly.”

Paul Remmer, regional manager for Lanes in Leeds, said: “A water company will only agree to a Section 104 sewer adoption if it is sure the sewer system is up to the required standard.

“This means it is built correctly, is in good repair and in good working order. Lanes helps developers through the sewer adoption process by carrying out drainage surveys and cleaning drain lines prior to the inspection.

“If the assets need any further remedial work to get them to Section 104 sewer adoption standard, we can make sure it is done. We can also be present during the inspection to note any comments and instructions from the inspector.”

He said Lanes can also check the drainage system as it is being installed by the groundworks contractor. This gives the developer greater assurance that it complies with a Section 104 sewer adoption before the homes are built.

Paul Remmer added: “During a sewer adoption inspection, the inspector checks the new sewers on a development site, to ensure that they a built to the correct standards and there are no signs of surcharging.

“The inspector may also want to see the most recent drainage survey reports, which is why it is important to carry out such surveys and associated cleaning just before the sewer adoption inspection.”

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