Drainage and Water Searches (CON29DW)
Official reports. Direct from the water company. Anywhere in the country.
An official Drainage and Water Search (CON29DW) confirms how a property connects to the public sewers and the mains water supply, and flags anything that could affect a sale, a survey or future building work. We order every report directly from the relevant water company and send it straight to you.
What is a Drainage and Water Search?
The CON29DW is the official drainage and water enquiry used across England and Wales. It is one of the core reports in a standard conveyancing search pack, sitting alongside your local authority and environmental searches.
The report draws on records held by the water and sewerage company responsible for the area, so the answers come straight from the organisation that owns and maintains the infrastructure. That is what makes it the authoritative position rather than an estimate.
For your client, it answers a simple but important question. Is this property properly connected, and is there anything about the drainage or water supply they need to know before they commit?
Whether the transaction is residential or commercial, the search gives you a clear, reliable basis for the advice you provide.
What a Drainage and Water Search Tells You
Every CON29DW answers a set of standard enquiries. These are the points that matter most to you and your client.
Is the property connected to the public sewer?
Most homes drain to a public sewer, but not all. A rural property may rely on a septic tank or private treatment plant, which carries its own maintenance and compliance responsibilities. The report confirms exactly how foul and surface water leave the property.
Is there a Building Over Sewer agreement in place?
Where a structure already sits over or close to a public sewer, the report shows whether the proper agreement or consent was obtained. This protects your client from inheriting an unauthorised build and the cost of putting it right.
Are there public sewers within the boundary?
If a public sewer crosses the land, it can affect where your client is able to build or extend. Knowing the position and depth of any sewer is essential before alterations are planned, and it can have a real bearing on value and future plans.
Is the property connected to the mains water supply?
The report confirms the mains water connection and how the property is charged. In some cases the water company will ask to see a recent bill to verify the position, and we will let you know if anything further is needed.
Residential and Commercial Searches
Residential property
For homes and residential transactions, the standard CON29DW gives you everything you need on sewer connection, drainage within the boundary and the mains water supply, presented clearly and ready to support your advice.
Commercial property
Commercial sites often involve larger plots, multiple connections and more complex infrastructure, so the commercial CON29DW is tailored to provide the additional detail those transactions demand. We order the correct report for the property type and location, so you are never working from the wrong document.
Ordered Direct - Reviewed With Care - Delivered to You
We purchase every Drainage and Water Search directly from the water company responsible for the relevant area, then send it straight to you as soon as it arrives. Because we cover any area of the country, you can place all your searches with one trusted partner, wherever the property happens to be.
Official reports sourced directly from the water company.
Available for any area of England and Wales.
Supplied within our standard search pack or ordered on their own.
A named, knowledgeable contact whenever you call.
Reviewed and sent the moment they are ready.
How to Order Your Drainage and Water Search
Drainage and Water Searches: Common Questions
Why do I need a drainage and water search?
It confirms how the property connects to the public sewers and the mains water supply, and reveals issues that could affect value, future building work or a lender's decision.
Most lenders expect one as part of standard conveyancing due diligence.
What is the difference between a CON29DW and a personal drainage search?
A CON29DW is the official report compiled from the water company's own records.
A personal search is carried out by a third party using publicly available data.
We supply the official CON29DW so your client has the authoritative position.
How long does a drainage and water search take?
Turnaround varies by water company and region. We give you an estimated delivery time when you order and send the report the moment it reaches us.
Do you cover the whole country?
Yes. We order from the water company responsible for the property, so we can supply searches for any area of England and Wales.
Can I order a commercial drainage and water search?
Yes. We provide both residential and commercial CON29DW reports, and we make sure the correct version is ordered for the property.