THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DISTRICT UTILITY AND DRAINAGE EASEMENTS
Property owners with District Utility or Drainage Easements crossing their side, back or front yards should exercise extreme care in planning any improvements in, on, or in close proximity to these areas.
Improvements that will affect water flow, drainage and/or erosion may only be constructed in the easements after an application for an Encroachment on Easement is approved by the Board of Directors and a fully executed Easement/Right-of-Way Joint Use Agreement (below) is filed in the Collin County Clerk’s Office – Land Records office by the District.
Examples of Prohibited Improvements:
– Permanent buildings or structures, such as garage or home additions.
Examples of Improvements allowed but, at the homeowners risk may include:
– Buried fuel tanks, lines, and related equipment.
– Shrubs, flowers, etc.
– Outdoor lighting and related wiring.
– Sprinkler/irrigation system heads and lines.
Examples of Improvements allowed at homeowners risk ONLY if an application is approved by the Board of Directors and encroachment agreement is duly signed, executed, and filed with the Collin County Clerk’s Office:
– Swimming pools and related lines and equipment.
– Retaining and terracing walls.
– Flatwork, such as patios, sidewalks, and driveways.
– Masonry posts, planters, etc.
– Trees.
– Spas and related lines and equipment.
– Fencing – above and below ground, masonry or non-masonry (regardless of material), etc. .
– Any improvement affecting water flow, drainage and/or erosion or appurtenances assisting in such water-management efforts.
Because digging to repair, replace, or maintain District lines, equipment, appurtenances or drainage, may be necessary in the Utility and Drainage Easements, certain improvements are strictly prohibited. While other improvements may be placed in these easements by the homeowner if certain conditions are met, it is the homeowner who assumes full liability for any damage to said improvements caused by the District, or their representatives, in the course of their work or related to their work.
The District urges property owners with any easements crossing their lots, to give considerable thought and planning before placing any improvements in said easements. Any question about whether an improvement is allowed should be addressed with the District office prior to starting any work.
The District is not responsible for any drainage ditch or rain water runoff from a homeowner’s property onto another homeowner’s property or onto any common area, or common or public property onto another homeowner’s property.
All other improvements, including but not limited to, irrigation systems, lighting and related wiring, underground fences, planters, plant material, beds, landscaping, etc., are the total responsibility of the homeowner. The District bears no responsibility or liability for repair or replacement of any improvement damaged during the repair, replacement, or maintenance of the District’s lines, equipment, roads, or drainage.
The District has the authority to grant access for other utility providers (and their authorized contractors) as necessary for the construction and/or maintenance of their respective utilities, such as telephone, cable, power, where it is deemed to be in the best interest of the District and its homeowners.
Call or email the District office to report flooding, erosion, and other drainage problems such as debris blocking the flow of water in a creek, a clogged inlet or culvert, standing water in a pond (for more than 72 hours) or high vegetation. Provide a location and description of the issue and an investigator will visit the location and assess the situation to determine if work of the District is required.
Seis Lagos Utility District
2730 Country Club Road
Suite E-1
Lucas, TX 75002
972/442-6875
Updated: 06/06/2025