By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

Colby Phillips

(June 20, 2019) Sitting as it does on low-lying land, Ocean Pines often has issues with flooding and drainage, which is why Operations Director Colby Phillips is working on a three-to-five-year plan to “drain the swamp.”

“We recognize our drainage problem as one to be managed rather than fully resolved,” Phillips said in a communication to homeowners. “There are several reasons for this, such as location of recovered land.”

Phillips is working with two groups, one to tackle the flooding issue and another looking at drainage, to develop a plan to address these problems

According to Phillips, sections two, three and seven have the most severe drainage issues. The team is investigating two suggestions made in a 2013 survey: calling for bids to replace drainage pipes in specific areas, and contracting for ditch maintenance in areas where the problem is severe.

“This will not solve the problem, but will help improve the issues,” Phillips said.

There is some progress to be seen, as drainage pipes have been replaced on Mumfords Landing Road as well as Boston Road. More projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Drainage pipes scheduled to be replaced this current fiscal year include Watertown this summer, Borderlinks sometime between this summer and fall and Ocean Parkway and Cathell Road is expected to be completed near the end of the year.

Homeowners can help alleviate the drainage issues with a few helpful steps, Phillips said.

Homeowners can remove any obstructions from their ditches, especially anything that may cover the pipe openings, as well as remove weeds the sides of the ditches and bag leaves.

“Bagging your leaves is the best way for removal,” Phillips said. “Use paper bags and they can be dropped off at Public Works or picked up by the local trash company which will pick up five bags at a time.”

Flowers, plants and other landscaping can cause an issue with water flow and should not be put in or around the ditch, she added.

For more information or to ask any additional questions about drainage, email Phillips at cphillips@oceanpines.org or Public Works Director Eddie Wells at ewells@oceanpines.org.