Page 23 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - March '23

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 23
Northern Notes

Know The Flow conveyance systems – each of which must be properly
maintained and functioning – to provide flood protection
By Katie Roundtree, for south Florida neighborhoods.
Director of Finance and So, what path does storm water typically follow from
Administration, Northern your neighborhood to its final destination? Here’s an
Palm Beach County example. Five inches of rain falls in 24 hours over an
Improvement District inland community. This rain follows a wet period, so
Flood control in Florida groundwater levels are already high. According to most
is a shared responsibility approved drainage designs, some water is temporarily
that provides maximum stored in public recreational areas, yard swales and streets.
benefit only when all The excess surface water slowly drains to community
components (primary, lakes or on-site ponds via street and yard drainage grates,
secondary and tertiary) are swales, ditches or canals. Water then drains from the
designed and constructed community or “tertiary” system through underground
to work together and are maintained in proper working pipes to the “secondary” system, in this area mainly
order. Florida is more complex than many states, where flooding; others may be covered by several organizations operated by Northern Palm Beach County Improvement
one entity is usually responsible for providing local and or governments providing varying service levels. District (Northern) or the city or county. Maintenance and
regional drainage for the community. Some areas have Depending on conditions, water may have to be routed upkeep of community drainage facilities are typically the
no formal drainage systems and are prone to routine through several interconnected, though independent, responsibility of homeowner associations.
The “secondary” drainage system is usually a network
of canals, structures, pumping stations and storage areas.
These systems can cover several hundred square miles and
serve many communities. In communities maintained by
THEIR Northern, storm water systems are gravity-fed or pumped
using storm water pump stations. Water moves through
a series of lakes and canals via weirs (fixed structures),
OWN operable gates and pump stations. These systems move
water through multiple communities at times, so the
“downstream” effects must be considered when moving
water from one area to another. The storm water systems
TRUTHS discharge into local canals managed by either Northern
or other municipalities. Northern uses a telemetry system
to monitor and remotely open and close gates and pumps.
Weather conditions and water levels are monitored around
the clock. These systems discharge water in the “primary”
flood control system as long as carrying capacity is
THE ART OF SKY CUBACUB, RIVA LEHRER, available.
JEFFREY MANSFIELD, AND DAVID RICHARDS Finally, the water flows to the “primary” drainage
system operated by the South Florida Water Management
An exhibition at ArtWorks at District (SFWMD) or other natural waterways. Floodgates
The Square, produced by may be opened, and water levels might be lowered in
The Arc of Palm Beach County anticipation of heavy rains to accommodate direct rainfall
and inflows from the “secondary” systems. During and
after heavy rains, excess water is routed through all
available “primary” waterways to regional storage areas
or coastal discharge points to relieve flooding as quickly
and safely as possible.
Sky Cubacub, Rebirth Garments, photo by @GraceDuVal
What Can You Do To Help?

Residents And Business Owners
○ Make sure drainage gates, ditches and swales in your
neighborhood are clear of debris.
○ Remove loose items, including yard debris, from
your yard. Debris and litter can clog storm drains and
cause flooding.
○ Check your community retention pond or lake for
obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority
for removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local
drainage district).
○ Find out who is responsible for drainage in your
community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl.
Homeowner Association Officials
Familiarize yourself with your particular drainage
DECEMBER 2022 - MAY 2023 system and how it fits into the overall south Florida
drainage picture. Specifically, learn how the system
works and how to maintain the facilities under your
responsibility properly.
The exhibition, Their Own Truths: The Art of Sky Cubacub, Report the location and condition of any clogged or
Riva Lehrer, Jeffrey Mansfield, and David Richards, encompasses damaged facilities to the proper authority (homeowner
recent works by four innovative artists who explore the association, city, county or local drainage district, or the
experience of disability. The collection of paintings, garments, South Florida Water Management District) in advance of
sculptures, and photographs seeks to change perceptions and and during the summer rainy season. Please make a note
to open minds. The exhibit is free and open to the public. A of important telephone numbers and keep them handy.
series of lectures and programs will accompany the exhibition.
NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system
For more information, visit arcpbc.org/events. is not a garbage disposal – don’t treat it like one.
Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
The Square
dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc. in inlets or
600 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite 156, West Palm Beach
pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt
(across the street from Starbucks) into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings and
other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.)
directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear
of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.

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