County urging clarity as more farmers tile fields

By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise

As more area farmers look to tile their fields for better water management and improved crop production, Moody County officials are asking for more coordination — and clarity — before more lines go in the ground.
Highway Superintendent Andy Muller told county commissioners this past week that his department is seeing a steady increase in underground tile installations, some of which are ending up in places they shouldn’t be — including road rights of way and drainage ditches.
Tiling, for those unfamiliar with the practice, is underground tubing designed to move excess water away from fields and other saturated soils. The systems are said to help fields dry more evenly, improve root development and overall yield.
But problems can arise when the lines aren’t properly placed or marked.
Muller said it’s not uncommon for crews to begin road or ditch work without knowing tile is buried below. Hitting an unmarked line can cause costly damage and create tension between the county and landowners.
“We just want to know it’s there,” Muller told commissioners.
State law requires tile to outlet into designated waterways — often referred to as “blue lines” — rather than directly into road ditches or culverts. Locally, though, enforcement and consistency have been limited. Without a formal drainage board or well-known permitting process, practices have varied over time.
This spring, with more farmers calling to ask how to properly install tile, the county is considering this an opportunity to get ahead of potential issues.
Muller said the goal isn’t to create conflict, but to draw a clearer line: if tile is properly placed and identified, the county will work to avoid it. If it’s not, repairs will fall back on the landowner.
Officials are also encouraging anyone with existing tile in or near the right of way — even older, “grandfathered” lines — to reach out and help document their location.
For now, there are no major problems reported. But with tiling continuing to expand across the region, county leaders say a little communication now could prevent bigger issues down the road.