Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart says inspection and maintenance work will be taking place around the county during the upcoming construction season.

Wiechart says engineer inspection and maintenance personnel will be on site on many of the 111 miles of Mercer County maintained open drainage ditches and 76 miles of tile throughout Mercer County.

The engineer’s office says maintenance easements exist along specific drainage infrastructure attributes that allow for the evaluation and upkeep of these drainage elements. Activities throughout the year can include ditch inspections, spraying for noxious weeds, and erosion repairs.

Wiechart noted some residents may think a ditch or tile is solely on private property, but said Mercer County’s ditch and tile maintenance infrastructure has a maintenance easement on and around the drainage feature.