Mark the affected zone
Use a site plan or a simple sketch to show the water meter, known valves, affected building and any suspected underground route. Add the locations where staff have seen water, with dates and weather conditions where relevant.
Label information by confidence: a route from a current drawing, a route recalled by maintenance, or a route still unknown. Include alterations such as a welfare extension or relocated loading bay that may affect old drawings.
Describe how the site operates around it
- Vehicle movements: identify loading lanes, forklift crossings and delivery periods that affect access to the investigation area.
- Stored goods: explain whether racking, pallets or stock prevent access to the surface or wall.
- Machinery: flag equipment that limits access or creates noise near the suspected route.
- Controlled areas: state the induction, escort and permit arrangements your site team needs to organise.
Agree the working area and any changes to operations with the responsible site team. The investigation method and location determine what restrictions may be needed; uninterrupted production should not be assumed.
Identify who can discuss the supplies
Ask maintenance to bring the information they hold about the incoming main and branches serving different units or processes. Record who can authorise a proposed isolation and what it would affect. Unknown connections should stay on the list of questions for the visit.
Explain any critical process dependency at the enquiry stage. Leave the choice and operation of valves to authorised people working under the site’s procedures. This preparation checklist is not an isolation instruction.
Plan for the finding as well as the survey
A location beneath an active loading lane raises different follow-up questions from a defect in a welfare-block fitting. Record the affected zone, the access needed for any proposed repair and who will arrange it.
Where the issue concerns the roof or wall, keep the investigation findings available for the contractor handling the building fabric. Ask what remains unconfirmed and what further access is needed. Agree excavation, repair, reinstatement or further investigation as separate items where applicable.
Plan site access: information to have ready
Use this checklist when preparing your enquiry. Keep observations separate from suspected causes, and note anything that still needs to be confirmed.
- Site / unit / enquiry reference
- Affected zone and plan reference
- Observed water / dates / weather / meter notes
- Known supply route and confidence in drawing
- Loading / forklift / pedestrian routes
- Stock or machinery limiting access
- Induction / escort / permit arrangements
- Maintenance contact and isolation decision-maker
- Process dependencies to discuss
- Agreed working area and access window
- Findings and unresolved locations
- Repair / reinstatement contact and next action
Share the relevant details with your agreed booking contact. Confirm the investigation scope, access and any additional work with ADI.
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