Water works

We were advised that the Law Society considers it to be good conveyancing practice to submit form CON29DW(2002) to the local sewerage undertaker on all occasions, in addition to submitting standard enquiries CON29 to the local authority.

We were told that the new form would be accepted by all water service companies in England and Wales from 1 April 2002.

The guidance notes issued with the forms state that the fees charged by the particular water service companies can be obtained from the company, the Society or from www.drainageandwater.co.uk

However, the above Web site shows that none of the water authorities, with the exception of Northumbrian Water and Yorkshire Water, have the facility to deal with form CON29DW at present.

We have contacted Southern Water, our local supplier, which states that it hopes to have the service available by 1 July 2002 and that the Society has been premature in its announcement.

Paul Webb, Paul Webb & Co, Romsey, Hampshire

Neil Gower, of the Law Society's practice development department, replies:

The standard drainage and water search has been developed by the Law Society in conjunction with the water companies, as many local authorities are no longer able to answer drainage questions.

The question in relation to this is being removed from the local authority search form with effect from 1 July.

After 1 July, the Society recommends that solicitors submit standard drainage and water searches through the National Land Information Service or direct to their local supplier.

The announcement was published as early as possible to give practitioners as much notice as possible of the forthcoming changes.