What search would you carry out to assess drainage and water services for a property, and from where is it obtained?

• A. CON29 DW- standard drainage and water enquiries, submitted to the appropriate water service company for the area
• B. A local authority search only
• C. Environment Agency search
• D. Land Registry search

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that to learn about drainage and water services for a property, you use standard drainage and water enquiries. These are raised and sent to the relevant water and sewerage company for the property's area. The response from that company tells you essential details such as whether the property is connected to the public drainage system, where public sewers or water mains run, and any charges or proposed works that could affect the property.

This is the best choice because it directly targets drainage and water assets and gets information from the body that maintains those services. Local authority searches won't reliably cover the specifics of drainage assets; Environment Agency searches relate to flood risk and environmental issues rather than the day-to-day drainage connections; Land Registry searches cover title and ownership, not the status of drainage or water services. So, standard drainage and water enquiries from the appropriate water company for the area provide the most relevant and authoritative information.