Example Applications of Principles

The following are examples of specific issues to which the above principles have been applied.  These are intended to be of use as example situations, and are not intended to be all-inclusive relative to all issues which will be encountered within MSD's drainage program.  As other drainage situations arise, additional guidelines should be developed which are consistent with these principles.

Connecting a Piped System to an Existing MSD Drainage System:  At times there are requests from the private sector that MSD allow connection of a piped storm system to an existing manhole or catch basin.   MSD will allow such a connection where hydraulic considerations can be met and where the integrity of the manhole or catch basin can be maintained.  A procedure such as core drilling is a recommended method for insuring the integrity of the structure.

Curb and Gutter:  Curb and gutter are considered an integral part of the road and thus are not a MSD drainage facility.

MSD repairs drainage problems involving curb and gutter where the problem is caused by public water or by MSD's drainage facility or drainage improvement operations, and is not strictly the result of the design or construction of the roadway or the curb and gutter.  Examples of this are situations involving a cave-in of a storm sewer under the curb and gutter, or deterioration of the inlet causing a problem with the curb and gutter.

Ditch Cleaning/Mowing:   MSD cleans public drainage facilities of trash, litter, debris or siltation which causes an obstruction, has the potential to cause an obstruction, or which otherwise interferes with the proper functioning of the facility.  If MSD decides that the trash, litter or debris does not interfere, or have the potential to interfere with drainage, removal requests may be referred to the City of Louisville, or the Board of Health for appropriate litter ordinance enforcement.

MSD will remove dead animals which are along or within a MSD drainage facility.  If the location of the animal falls in the City of Louisville, the request should be directed to MSD's Support Services Manager.  If the location is in the County, it should be directed to MSD's Storm Drainage Construction/Maintenance Manager.

In the following cases, MSD will call the appropriate agency for removal of the animal:

• If the animal is on a City of Louisville maintained street, the City Sanitation Department should be called at 625-3571.
• If the animal is on a road or highway maintained by Jefferson County, the County Department of Public Works and Transportation should be called at 625-5810.

Where a MSD drainage facility has side slopes steeper than 2 to 1, or it is deeper than 3 feet, MSD will mow grass and cut other natural growth as needed to maintain the carrying capacity of the facility or as provided for in Routine Mowing.  However, all roadside ditches are either mowed under the drainage programs of the State, or the County, or they are the responsibility of the property owner.

Driveway Culvert Pipes and Aprons:  MSD cleans, replaces or installs driveway culvert pipes and aprons as needed to provide public drainage.  When constructing drainage improvements, it is MSD's responsibility to replace or repair driveway culvert pipes and aprons which have been damaged by public water or by failure of MSD's drainage facility.

Where a driveway culvert pipe or apron is being installed or replaced as a convenience to the property owner, or for new construction where no public drainage problems exist, all costs shall be the responsibility of the property owner.  MSD may provide review, set grades and provide inspections for grade and sizing.

Erosion:   It is MSD's responsibility to address erosion caused by public drainage, or within its drainage facilities.

Fences:  If a property owner has located a fence such that it interferes with MSD's access to a public drainage facility, and it is MSD's opinion that maintenance or repair to the drainage facility is necessary, it is MSD's responsibility to remove and relocate the fence in order to enable proper access.  MSD may assume the cost of removal and relocation.   All fences relocated will be equipped with a gate for access to the easement by the property owner for purposes of mowing.

To correctly apply this section, reference must be made to the sections entitled "Easement Requirements", "Environmental Issues", and "Resource Constraints" which are addressed under Application of Principles.

Flooding of Basements and Crawl Spaces:   In general, MSD is not able to pump or clean basements, crawl spaces or other private property facilities except when the damage problems are the direct results of an MSD facility failure or because of an MSD action.  However, special hardship cases or community emergencies may exist.

Grate Installation Over Culvert Pipes:   MSD will not place grates on existing drainage systems, or allow their use in newly installed drainage systems where the potential for flooding damage or a safety hazard exists.

Guidelines continued