The council shall have power to require and compel any railroad company and any street railway company to make, keep open and in repair, such ditches, drains, sewers and culverts, along and under, or across their railroad tracks, as may be necessary to drain their grounds and right of way properly, and in such manner as the council shall direct, so that the natural drainage of adjacent property shall not be impeded. If any such railroad company or street railway company shall neglect to perform any such requirement, according to the directions of the council, the council may cause the work to be done at the expense of such company, and the amount of such expense may be collected at the suit of the city against the company, in a civil action, before any court having jurisdiction of the cause.