CHENANGO COUNTY - Who’s responsibility is it make sure culvert pipes at the end of driveways are clear to prevent potential road, lawn and basement wash-outs?

If a backed-up pipe connects to a state road, it’s the property owner’s job to keep it clear, according to a transportation official.

“Maintenance of a sluice pipe/drive-way pipe at the end of a homeowner’s driveway on a New York State roadway is the responsibility of that homeowner. The sluice pipe is in place to give the homeowner access to the state right-of-way,” said David Hamburg, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation in the Southern Tier. “Whenever possible, the New York State Department of Transportation would provide assistance to the homeowner. If the water affects the state road, NYSDOT personnel would be out there protecting state assets and taking care of the situation.”

On county roads, highway crews are responsible for clearing the drainage pipes, Chenango County Public Works Director Randy Gibbon says, which are sometimes referred to as “sluices.”

According to Gibbon, county workers were out Wednesday un-clogging several spots that had forced water onto the road or private property. Most of the blockages are created by snow that gets pushed off the end of driveways, he said.