Approved Document H: Drainage and waste disposal
England-focused reference checklist
Editorial source review: 2026-10-17
https://saeedazarshab.com/articles/england-building-regulations/approved-document-h/

INDEPENDENT GUIDANCE — not project-specific legal/design advice or a compliance certificate. Check the official current requirements and applicable transition.

Part H concerns drainage and waste disposal, including foul drainage and relevant rainwater and waste arrangements. Good access for inspection and maintenance is part of a useful design. Building-regulations review does not remove the need to establish separate sewer connection, build-over or other consents where applicable.

WHAT TO CHECK
[ ] Establish the existing drainage information, condition and route before designing alterations.
[ ] Agree a coordinated layout with suitable access and the responsible designer.
[ ] Check separate sewer, connection or build-over arrangements with the relevant organisation where needed.
[ ] Coordinate drainage with structure, ground conditions and external levels.
[ ] Inspect and test as required before concealment, recording the as-installed arrangement.

RECORDS TO KEEP
- Survey, drainage design and relevant consent correspondence
- Inspection and test records
- As-installed drainage and access information

WHEN TO GET SPECIALIST HELP
Use competent drainage and structural input where existing sewers, uncertain routes or nearby foundations affect the proposal.

SCOPE AND EDITION
Landing published 4 December 2010 and links its current document; confirm project-specific application and source before specifying. Consider external approvals and connection arrangements separately. Coordinate drainage layout and access before covering up work.

OFFICIAL SOURCES
GOV.UK — Approved Document H
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drainage-and-waste-disposal-approved-document-h

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. Original practical summary by Saeed Azarshab.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/