Ditch

What the system calculates

You enter the ditch length, depth, bottom width, soil and side slope. The system calculates:

- the top width B = b + 2·m·h and the cross-section A = (b + m·h)·h;

- the excavation volume and, if needed, removal of bulked soil;

- the slope area and seed (40 kg/ha), geotextile or stone lining;

- culvert pipes under crossings.

Drainage ditch

For drainage ditches the cross-section is checked against MTR 2.02.01: a bottom of at least 0.8 m (0.6 m with toe reinforcement), a bottom gradient of at least 0.5 ‰, and a side slope by soil and depth (e.g. in clay up to 1.5 m — 1 : 1.25, in sand — 1 : 2). Only certified persons may design and build them.

Roadside ditch

In sand the slopes must be flatter, and by roads they are often lined with stones. Works in the road strip or protection zone must be agreed with the road owner.

Permits and restrictions

- Whether a simple ditch is a structure is unclear: the Land Reclamation Law calls it one, so the system calculates K = S × h³ (h — depth).

- On drained land digging deeper than 0.7 m needs the municipality's approval, and the work must be agreed with other owners.

- Buildings and fences — at least 5 m from the edge of a drainage ditch.

- Closer than 1 m to the plot boundary — the neighbour's consent; water must not be led onto the neighbour's plot.

Cost

Excavation is priced at 5 €/m³, which matches the market average of about 16 €/m. Grass seed — 7 €/kg, 300 mm culvert pipe — 25.60 €/m, stone slope lining — 9 €/m². Prices are provisional and can be changed.