Guard Rails and Barriers:  A customer may at times perceive that the existence of a drainage facility adjacent to a parking lot, roadway, sidewalk, driveway, or other public way poses a danger.  The City of Louisville and all other parts of Jefferson County have adopted specific codes and ordinances addressing this issue.  In general, it is the responsibility of the person who, or entity that, owns the property to guard against anyone or anything falling into an adjoining drainage facility by installing fences, guardrails, barriers or other such additional protection systems.

Mosquitoes:   During mosquito season, the Board of Health contracts with MSD to add a mosquito pellet after cleaning trapped catch basins on the combined sewer system.  Requests for spraying mosquitoes in or along ditches will be referred to the Board of Health.

Obstructions:   If a property owner is responsible for the obstruction of a MSD drainage facility, either by placing a structure, fill or other debris or litter, MSD may contact that property owner by letter and require that the obstruction be removed.  If the property owner does not respond or refuses to remove the obstruction or fill, legal action may be instituted.  If the obstruction is severe and there is an immediate threat of flooding or property damage, MSD may remove the obstruction regardless as to whether the property owner is responsible.  Where MSD removes an obstruction placed by a property owner, MSD may charge the costs of removal to the property owner.

On occasion, a request will be made that MSD remove a beaver dam.  Dams of this type which are on main drainage channels may be removed by MSD if private property is being affected.  MSD will not remove the dam if it does not adversely affect drainage.

Piping of Drainage Facilities:  For new drainage facilities or where an existing ditch is part of a drainage improvement project, MSD may install pipe rather than an earthen ditch.   If MSD chooses to place an earthen ditch rather than a pipe in situations where a pipe is appropriate, MSD will provide routine maintenance including mowing.

Where an existing ditch is a part of a drainage improvement project, and the property owner requests that the ditch be piped and the slope and/or depth criteria is not met but piping the ditch is technically feasible, MSD may install pipe.  The cost of the pipe and necessary catch basins and headwalls will be the responsibility of the property owner.

MSD may allow installation of pipe in a properly functioning drainage ditch where requested by the property owner strictly for the property owner's convenience.  All costs associated with the installation in these situations will be the responsibility of the property owner.

Rodents:   MSD will refer the customer to the Board of Health for action or information on how property owners can control rodents on their property or near drainage facilities.

Sidewalks and Bridges:  It is MSD's responsibility to repair or replace sidewalks and bridges which have been damaged by public drainage problems or by MSD's drainage improvement operations.

MSD will look to the property owner, or agency, which installed the sidewalk or bridge to address safety issues which are not included in the preceding paragraph, or which relate solely to the proximity of an adjoining drainage facility.  However, in some cases, MSD may work with the responsible party to make appropriate modifications to the drainage facility in order to eliminate the safety concern.

Sinkholes:   In those locations where public water is entering a sinkhole, MSD attempts to keep the entrance clear of blockages.  MSD does not encourage the use of natural sinkholes as outlets for drainage from developed areas and will avoid requests for modifications to sinkhole entrances.  The proposed use of sinkholes as outlets for development must be approved by MSD's Engineering Stormwater Planning Department.

Trees:  It is MSD's responsibility to remove trees that block, or threaten to block, the flowage way or to interfere with the maintenance of a through-drainage facility.  A tree which has fallen, but is not obstructing drainage, is the responsibility of the property owner.

If a tree is under cut by erosion of a MSD facility, and presents a clear threat to injury of life or property, MSD will remove the tree.

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