A Drainage Easement is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties granting one party (the easement holder) the right to use a piece of land (the serving estate) for the purpose of draining surface or subsurface water. The easement holder is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repair of the drainage works, and must ensure that the works do not interfere with the serving estate or the rights of any other party. There are two primary types of Drainage Easement: surface water drainage easements and subsurface water drainage easements. Surface water drainage easements allow the easement holder to divert and/or convey surface water from the serving estate, while subsurface water drainage easements allow the easement holder to construct and maintain works for the purpose of draining subsurface water. Both types of drainage easements are intended to protect the serving estate from flooding, erosion, and similar problems caused by excessive water accumulation.