Edmunds County Tribune -

After the several downpours this summer flooding in sections of Ipswich became a problem. Members of the Ipswich City Council are looking for ways to alleviate the problem in the future.

A drainage study was done by Stockwell Engineers of Sioux Falls. Recommendations were made to improve the drainage in Ipswich.

The extensive plan would include channel cleaning, storm sewer improvements as well as curb and gutter and street shaping. The project would take several years, in several phases, costing the city several million dollars.

An open house was held on Monday to allow residents to speak to the engineer or council members. Maps were available showing the storm sewer plan and another with proposed street reconstruction. Storm sewer work would begin in the southwestern corner of Ipswich.

The city received a 2.5 million dollar grant for storm sewer improvements. The state will provide 70% and the city’s responsibility would be 30%, approximately $500,000. An $8 surcharge will be added to water/ garbage bills.

Additional grant and/or loan funds would be sought later to complete the project.

Tax assessments would be used to fund the curb and gutter/street improvements.

The city council has not voted to commit to the project yet.

Discussion during the Monday council meeting included questioning if culverts and ditches could be used instead of storm sewer improvements to fix the drainage problem. But there would not be grant funds for that work. The financial burden the additional surchage and tax assessments would have on residents on fixed incomes was also mentioned.

Mayor LeRoy Kilber said a decision will be made soon.