New appointments & variations (NAVs)
Information and guidance on NAVs.
What is a NAV?
New appointments and variations (NAVs) are companies that provide water and wastewater services to customers by acquiring the local licensing and replacing the incumbent company for a specific area. NAVs can compete with incumbents (the water and/or sewerage provider that holds the existing monopoly to provide services to premises in its supply area) to supply infrastructure to development sites (such as new build or retail developments) that aren’t served by the current incumbent.
Full NAV
A full NAV provides a complete “end-to-end” service. On the water side, this incorporates obtaining a water source, treatment, distribution and retailing. On the wastewater side, this incorporates collection, treatment and sludge treatment including disposal.
Bulk supply NAV
A bulk supply NAV provides its own onsite infrastructure, but relies on a bulk supply of water (or a bulk discharge of wastewater) from the local incumbent’s network. The NAV still serves end-customers, but the NAV pays the incumbent for bulk services. Some NAVs may use a bulk supply for one service (eg. water) but have their own resources for the other services. NAVs have the same duties and responsibilities as the statutory water company. When companies apply for a licence, Ofwat checks that the applicant has the ability and resources to meet its legal duties and responsibilities. The Drinking Water Inspectorate and Environment Agency also separately check the suitability of the applicant.
Granting NAVs
A NAV can be granted in three different scenarios:
- If the premises of one or more customers is supplied with at least 50 megalitres of water per year. The same applies for water recycling services.
- If none of the premises within the area are currently served by an appointed company. This includes areas which are supplied by private, unregulated supplies. This applies for water and water recycling services.
- If the existing appointed company consents to the transfer of that area.
Apply to become a NAV
For NAVs looking to apply for a bulk supply for a particular site, we require a preliminary mains enquiry form to be completed found here:
Online form: Bristol Water NAV Point of Connection online form.
Print form: Bristol Water NAV Point of Connection print form.
In addition to completing the above form, we also require the following:
- Site location plan
- Build profile with property numbers/demand.
On receipt of the above Bristol Water will provide the following:
- Point of connection(s) (POC)
- Cost of providing bulk supply infrastructure
- Draft bulk supply agreement (general and specific)
- Minimum and maximum pressures at POC
- Site served/unserved letter
- Total infrastructure charges payable
- Total income offset payable
- Confirmation of reinforcement/diversions required.
For any queries please contact Tim St John, Senior Project Manager, Development Services: tim.stjohn@bristolwater.co.uk
Full NAV
A full NAV provides a complete “end-to-end” service. On the water side, this incorporates obtaining a water source, treatment, distribution and retailing. On the wastewater side, this incorporates collection, treatment and sludge treatment including disposal.
Bulk supply NAV
A bulk supply NAV provides its own onsite infrastructure, but relies on a bulk supply of water (or a bulk discharge of wastewater) from the local incumbent’s network. The NAV still serves end-customers, but the NAV pays the incumbent for bulk services. Some NAVs may use a bulk supply for one service (eg. water) but have their own resources for the other services. NAVs have the same duties and responsibilities as the statutory water company. When companies apply for a licence, Ofwat checks that the applicant has the ability and resources to meet its legal duties and responsibilities. The Drinking Water Inspectorate and Environment Agency also separately check the suitability of the applicant.
Granting NAVs
A NAV can be granted in three different scenarios:
- If the premises of one or more customers is supplied with at least 50 megalitres of water per year. The same applies for water recycling services.
- If none of the premises within the area are currently served by an appointed company. This includes areas which are supplied by private, unregulated supplies. This applies for water and water recycling services.
- If the existing appointed company consents to the transfer of that area.
Apply to become a NAV
For NAVs looking to apply for a bulk supply for a particular site, we require a preliminary mains enquiry form to be completed found here:
Online form: Bristol Water NAV Point of Connection online form.
Print form: Bristol Water NAV Point of Connection print form.
In addition to completing the above form, we also require the following:
- Site location plan
- Build profile with property numbers/demand.
On receipt of the above Bristol Water will provide the following:
- Point of connection(s) (POC)
- Cost of providing bulk supply infrastructure
- Draft bulk supply agreement (general and specific)
- Minimum and maximum pressures at POC
- Site served/unserved letter
- Total infrastructure charges payable
- Total income offset payable
- Confirmation of reinforcement/diversions required.
For any queries please contact Tim St John, Senior Project Manager, Development Services: tim.stjohn@bristolwater.co.uk
Full NAV
A full NAV provides a complete “end-to-end” service. On the water side, this incorporates obtaining a water source, treatment, distribution and retailing. On the wastewater side, this incorporates collection, treatment and sludge treatment including disposal.
Bulk supply NAV
A bulk supply NAV provides its own onsite infrastructure, but relies on a bulk supply of water (or a bulk discharge of wastewater) from the local incumbent’s network. The NAV still serves end-customers, but the NAV pays the incumbent for bulk services. Some NAVs may use a bulk supply for one service (eg. water) but have their own resources for the other services. NAVs have the same duties and responsibilities as the statutory water company. When companies apply for a licence, Ofwat checks that the applicant has the ability and resources to meet its legal duties and responsibilities. The Drinking Water Inspectorate and Environment Agency also separately check the suitability of the applicant.
Granting NAVs
A NAV can be granted in three different scenarios:
- If the premises of one or more customers is supplied with at least 50 megalitres of water per year. The same applies for water recycling services.
- If none of the premises within the area are currently served by an appointed company. This includes areas which are supplied by private, unregulated supplies. This applies for water and water recycling services.
- If the existing appointed company consents to the transfer of that area.
Apply to become a NAV
For NAVs looking to apply for a bulk supply for a particular site, we require a preliminary mains enquiry form to be completed found here:
Online form: Bristol Water NAV Point of Connection online form.
Print form: Bristol Water NAV Point of Connection print form.
In addition to completing the above form, we also require the following:
- Site location plan
- Build profile with property numbers/demand.
On receipt of the above Bristol Water will provide the following:
- Point of connection(s) (POC)
- Cost of providing bulk supply infrastructure
- Draft bulk supply agreement (general and specific)
- Minimum and maximum pressures at POC
- Site served/unserved letter
- Total infrastructure charges payable
- Total income offset payable
- Confirmation of reinforcement/diversions required.
For any queries please contact Tim St John, Senior Project Manager, Development Services: tim.stjohn@bristolwater.co.uk