Page 9 - PGA Community News - March '23

March 2023 March 2023 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 9
Northern Notes

Know The Flow What Can You Do To Help?

By Katie Roundtree, Residents And Business Owners
Director of Finance and ○ Make sure drainage gates, ditches and swales in your
Administration, Northern neighborhood are clear of debris.
Palm Beach County ○ Remove loose items, including yard debris, from
Improvement District your yard. Debris and litter can clog storm drains and
Flood control in Florida cause flooding.
is a shared responsibility ○ Check your community retention pond or lake for
that provides maximum obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority
benefit only when all for removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local
components (primary, drainage district).
secondary and tertiary) are ○ Find out who is responsible for drainage in your
designed and constructed community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl.
to work together and are maintained in proper working Homeowner Association Officials
order. Florida is more complex than many states, where The “secondary” drainage system is usually a network Familiarize yourself with your particular drainage
one entity is usually responsible for providing local and of canals, structures, pumping stations and storage areas. system and how it fits into the overall south Florida
regional drainage for the community. Some areas have no These systems can cover several hundred square miles and drainage picture. Specifically, learn how the system
formal drainage systems and are prone to routine flooding; serve many communities. In communities maintained by works and how to maintain the facilities under your
others may be covered by several organizations or Northern, storm water systems are gravity-fed or pumped responsibility properly.
governments providing varying service levels. Depending using storm water pump stations. Water moves through Report the location and condition of any clogged or
on conditions, water may have to be routed through a series of lakes and canals via weirs (fixed structures), damaged facilities to the proper authority (homeowner
several interconnected, though independent, conveyance operable gates and pump stations. These systems move association, city, county or local drainage district, or the
systems – each of which must be properly maintained and water through multiple communities at times, so the South Florida Water Management District) in advance of
functioning – to provide flood protection for south Florida “downstream” effects must be considered when moving and during the summer rainy season. Please make a note
neighborhoods. water from one area to another. The storm water systems of important telephone numbers and keep them handy.
So, what path does storm water typically follow from discharge into local canals managed by either Northern NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system
your neighborhood to its final destination? Here’s an or other municipalities. Northern uses a telemetry system is not a garbage disposal – don’t treat it like one.
example. Five inches of rain falls in 24 hours over an to monitor and remotely open and close gates and pumps. Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
inland community. This rain follows a wet period, so Weather conditions and water levels are monitored around dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc. in inlets or
groundwater levels are already high. According to most the clock. These systems discharge water in the “primary” pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt
approved drainage designs, some water is temporarily flood control system as long as carrying capacity is into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings and
stored in public recreational areas, yard swales and streets. available. other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.)
The excess surface water slowly drains to community Finally, the water flows to the “primary” drainage directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear
lakes or on-site ponds via street and yard drainage grates, system operated by the South Florida Water Management of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
swales, ditches or canals. Water then drains from the District (SFWMD) or other natural waterways. Floodgates appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
community or “tertiary” system through underground may be opened, and water levels might be lowered in
pipes to the “secondary” system, in this area mainly anticipation of heavy rains to accommodate direct rainfall
operated by Northern Palm Beach County Improvement and inflows from the “secondary” systems. During and
District (Northern) or the city or county. Maintenance and after heavy rains, excess water is routed through all
upkeep of community drainage facilities are typically the available “primary” waterways to regional storage areas
responsibility of homeowner associations. or coastal discharge points to relieve flooding as quickly
and safely as possible.