Summary of VII. Repair/Maintenance of Drainage Systems Summary of VII. Repair/Maintenance of Drainage Systems

Summary

Deterioration of drainage systems over time is inevitable, requiring regular maintenance. If a drainage system is not sufficiently maintained, a minor or major repair of the system may be required. The term “repair” is defined within Minn. Stat. 103E.701, subd. 1 and has a bearing how some drainage activates can be executed and regulated (see Chapter 3, Section VII, A).

The “As Constructed and Subsequently Improved Condition” (ACSIC) of a public drainage system must be determined to understand if proposed work may be consider “repair” and what regulations are applicable . Determination of the ACSIC is discussed in more detail within Chapter 3, Section VII, B.

Additionally, drainage law requires regular inspection of drainage system (Minn. Stat. 103E.705) to ascertain the need for repair and/or maintenance. (Chapter 3, Section VII, C).

Drainage law does not require the appointment of an engineer for non-petitioned repair of drainage systems. This type of repair project is brought to the attention of the drainage authority by the inspection and written report. Non-petitioned repair includes (1) routine maintenance, and (2) less frequent and more extensive repair. See Chapter 3, Section VII, D for more description.

Petitioned Repair may include “resloping ditches, incorporating multistage ditch cross-section, leveling spoil banks, installing erosion control, or removing trees” along with other activities. For petitioned repair projects, the drainage authority must appoint an engineer to be responsible for examining the drainage system to determine the extent of the repair. See Chapter 3, Section VII, E for more information on this process.

Contracting and levying for maintenance and repair (Chapter 3, Section VII, F) and drainage code provisions for private bridges and culverts (Chapter 3, Section VII, G) are also further discussed in referenced sections.