Building Permits

BUILDING PERMIT

Anyone proposing to carry out the construction, extension or underpinning of a building has a duty to check to see if a public sewer or water main is located at or near the proposed location. Thus you have to submit an application for a building permit to the Maseru City Council if in Maseru or District Administrator’s offices if in other districts.

The granting of planning permission does not give you the right to carry out works close to or over the water and sewerage networks. Provision of three meters should be made from the centre line of any distribution main.

These restrictions apply to the building of all structures so that if you are planning an extension to an existing property, building a garage or a conservatory which is not subject to planning permission requirements, you will still need to obtain a permit to ensure you are not building near or over public sewers or water mains.

DIVERSION OF MAINS

If you propose building closer to water or sewer mains, then the above criteria stands, you will need to pay for the main or sewer to be diverted if this is possible. If this is not possible, then building may not be allowed. It is imperative that you contact WASCO as soon as possible if you are proposing to build close to WASCO infrastructure. Failure to do so may result in delays, or lead to other complications such as main pipe bursting which may destroy your property.

If WASCO needs to make repairs on its mains, your property may also be a‑ected and WASCO is not responsible for any damage to your property in this particular case.

Read on Guidance regarding building near our water mains and sewers.