Sec. 254.005. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE DRAINAGE. (a) The commissioners court of a county may order the construction or maintenance of ditches as provided by this chapter at any regular session of the court.

(b) If a ditch is constructed under this chapter, the ditch must be placed on or within the exterior lines of a public road in the county and must have the capacity to carry off into a natural waterway all surface water reasonably adjacent that may collect in the ditch from natural causes.

(c) The commissioners court shall:

(1) make a drain on each side of a public road when necessary and use the dirt from the drain excavation to build the road; and

(2) drain a public road when necessary and have one or more ditches cut for that purpose, taking into account the natural waterflow and causing as little damage as possible to adjacent property owners.

(d) In connection with its authority to construct and maintain ditches, the commissioners court may construct any necessary side, lateral, spur, or branch ditch.

(e) The commissioners court may acquire by purchase or condemnation any new or wider right-of-way not wider than 100 feet for streambed diversion and drainage channels, but only for locating, constructing, or maintaining a county road. The cost of acquisition may be paid from the county road and bridge fund or any available county money.

(f) If damages are suffered by a property owner, the commissioners court shall determine the damages and pay the property owner out of the county general fund. If the commissioners court and the property owner disagree as to the amount of damages, the amount may be determined by civil suit.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.