I've recently bought my first home. we've been doing up the garden and have found a pipe running the full length of the garden along one side, under the shed and draining into a drain.

There was no mention of this on the survey or by the solicitors searches. The previous owner says it has been there since he moved in 2 1/2 years ago and has no idea where the water comes from.

There seems to be a constant flow of water down the pipe. It disappears into an empty area at the end of the garden where they are starting to build a housing development.

is there anyway I can find out where the water is coming from, and why the pipe was put in?

you mention where the pipe ends up, but don't mention where it starts... or where its heading towards

What type of pipe are we talking about, size, material ?

pipe disappears under the soil at the end of the garden..can't see where it goes or get to the land behind our property to have a look.

pipe is a mixture of piping. in some areas is a flexible black piping about 5cm diameter made of ridged plastic. this connects at either end to a solid grey pipe of a similar diameter with a metal ring around securing it at the house end of the pipe, but nothing securing it at the far end of the garden. can also see a gap at the top end where the join is not complete and you can see the water running.

'securing it at the house end' ?? is the pipe running from your house ?? and what direction is the water flowing, to your house or from your house ?

securing the two types of pipe together.

water runs towards the house, and down a drain before reaching the house.

Sounds rather strange to me

I suppose you and your neighbours are on mains drainage ?

I'd get in touch with the water board, it could be a long term leak, and someone has laid a pipe to stop the garden flooding ?

I assume the water is clean. I'd be inclined to cut the pipe where it enters my property, put a plug in it, then see who complains