MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Smith Drain covers a wide range of places including Alaiedon Township, Meridian Township and the City of East Lansing. Now it is said to have some problems that may need fixing.

The drain system in our community collects storm water and runoff from nearly everywhere like our backyards, parking lots, and farms and fields.

The smith drain has existed for more than a 100 years. However, it hasn't been fully looked at and now there seems to be some problems with it.

"We do have some quality issues that we have to deal with. Some of the infrastructures are in really bad shape. Storm two under Jolly Road, for example, on the west of Okemos Road, is falling apart. It’s a metal pipe and it has been there for quite a while. And it's all rusted out," said Pat Lindemann, Ingham County Drain Commissioner.

Lindemann says a hydraulic study is needed to find out what exactly the problems are before they can begin to fix them.

"We have a serious lack of data. We really don't know where the water is coming from, how much it is coming and at what stage it is coming," he said.

The Drain Commissioner is asking Meridian Township to advance $35,000 to do the study. After the work is done, the Township will be reimbursed from the State Grant.

But for Meridian Township Treasurer Julie Brixie, the bigger issue lies in what do to beyond the study.

"What's a concern to me is who will be paying ultimately for the fixes to the smith drain. The Township can be taxed for the drain for a portion of it. And we want to make sure the Township doesn't take too much of the burden of the cost of the drain."

She says the Township residents pay nearly half a million dollars every year for drain maintenance. She wants to make sure that no matter what kind of fixes are going to be done, they are worth of the money.

Drain Commissioner Lindermann says the study will benefit the residents as they can make sure the drain works effectively and can protect people's houses.

The Township Board will vote whether to financially support the study or not on its next meeting on May 7th. If passed, the study will start right away and be completed in three months.