The responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of drains,
streams, ditches and watercourses, whether established County/Township
ditches or not, rests entirely upon the land owners affected and
benefited. It is not the obligation of the County/Township to maintain
or improve the storm drainage facilities across any individual’s
property for either agricultural purposes or development of suburban
home sites. When an individual purchases property, the principal of
“Caveat Emptor” or “let the buyer beware,” is the purchaser’s best
guideline. Land ownership has many potential and real benefits, but also
comes with certain liabilities. Storm drainage facilities fall under
the liability category of property ownership. These storm drainage
facilities cannot be closed, obstructed or altered in any way which
would reduce the capacity for conveying storm water across private
property. Any owner is liable for upstream property damage for failure
to properly maintain storm drainage facilities across his own property.”
-- Passage from Montgomery County Engineer pamphlet, “Responsibility
and Procedure for Improvement and Maintenance of Drains, Ditches and
Watercourses."