The dominant tenement owner bears the obligation to restore the surface of the servient tenement under the standard easement to drain water proviso, and cannot avoid that obligation by engaging an independent contractor to perform the works. The 'original condition' in the proviso refers to the condition immediately before the relevant works, not at the time of creation of the easement. The cause of action for breach of the restoration obligation is in the nature of quasi-contract subject to a six-year limitation period, and does not accrue until a reasonable time for restoration has elapsed after completion of the works. Whether the cause of action is founded on a deed (attracting a 12-year limitation period) and whether the restoration obligation binds successors in title to the dominant tenement remain open questions.
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