Page 6 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - September '23

Page 6, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Northern Notes

Culverts – Integral Parts Of A

Stormwater System

By Katie Roundtree,
Director of Finance and
Administration, Northern
Palm Beach County
Improvement District
Culverts are an integral one lake to another or road drains to a lake. They can move conditions and increased usage, these systems can fail
pa r t of st orm wa t e r water from one location to another to dry out an area for causing contamination, leaks or even sinkholes. So how
infrastructure across development or ensure safe travel along roadways. do we stop these potential issues? Maintenance is key!
Florida. These often-hidden Several types of culverts exist and are widely used today, Regular inspections and cleaning help avoid disruption or
structures have shaped such as box culverts, arch culverts, and bridge culverts to costly repairs.
Florida’s landscape by name a few. The most commonly used are pipe culverts. Used The staff at Northern work diligently to provide routine
creating areas for growth for drainage or electrical routing, these tunnel-like structures inspections and maintenance to our drainage systems.
and development. But what is a culvert? Where are they? are buried alongside or underneath roadways. Pipes are made Inspections can be performed using cameras atop remote
What do they do? In this article we will dive into the using various materials such as metal, concrete or plastic and operated vehicles (ROV) or by trained divers. If a threat
world of culverts and how they relate to Northern Palm vary in length and diameter. to the lifespan and operation of the culvert is found, it
Beach County Improvement District’s abilities to provide Many years ago, most of the existing drainage systems can be remediated with cleaning or repairing.
exceptional services to the communities we manage. utilized CMP (corrugated metal pipe). However, due to So, what can we do to help our communities preserve
Culverts are similar to the water pipes used to provide fluctuating water levels these pipes often succumb to corrosion. culvert systems? Keep storm drains free of debris, refrain
water to a house. Pipes underground allow water to be To combat this issue, CMP pipes are replaced with HDPE from dumping any chemicals into the waterways and most
channeled from a water source into your home or garden. Or (high density polyethylene), a plastic designed to be chemical important of all, report any areas of concern to the district.
another example, just like our bodies, the stormwater system and erosion resistant, or RCP (reinforced concrete) in a load- Together, we can ensure our stormwater infrastructure
has arteries, a heart, and flow. Our culverts are the veins and bearing capacity, for example under roads with heavy traffic. will remain intact for years to come.
pump stations are the hearts. If our veins are clogged our heart HDPE or concrete culverts are the best options for drainage Special thanks to our Operations Supervisor –
works harder and puts stress on the rest of our system. The purposes, due to their cost-effectiveness and longevity. Stormwater Greg Sale for his contributions to this article
same concept applies to culverts. Culverts allow stormwater Culverts are designed with life spans of 30 to 100 and Kim Morgan, for drafting the article.
to move underground from place to place. They can connect years. However, due to stressors such as environmental
Impact The Palm Beaches Announces Start Of $100,000

Grant Process For Local Nonprofits

Impact the Palm Beaches is seeking applications from environment and animal welfare,
local nonprofits interested in receiving a $100,000 grant to family, and health and wellness.
create effective change in Palm Beach County. The 2023/24 The nonprofit’s program can
grant process opened on Aug. 7 and initial proposals must be new or an expansion of an
be submitted by Sept. 14. existing program.
Eligible Central and Northern Palm Beach County “Impact has awarded grants
nonprofits may apply for grant funding that supports their that address a variety of needs in
mission, programs, or services. our community, including mental
Lisa LaFrance, president of Impact the Palm Beaches, health, affordable housing,
emphasizes that the grants provided by the organization homelessness, food insecurity,
help local nonprofits to make a significant and long- job training, arts funding,
lasting impact on the communities they serve. Charities hygiene, high school graduation,
in the community are encouraged to apply for the grant, marine preservation, foster care,
even if they have applied in previous years. “As Impact and so much more,” said Aleese
grows its membership, we are able to fund more and more Kopf, grant committee chair. “We The 2023 Impact the Palm Beaches Grant recipients. Photo by Capehart
programs. In each of the last four years, we received roughly look forward to working with our
70 applications, but our grants pool has increased from area nonprofits to ignite change in our community.” an efficient and collaborative means of creating transformational
$159,000 to $377,000, meaning an agency’s chances of Impact grants will be awarded at an annual awards change in their community. Women can become as involved as
being awarded a grant have improved threefold in the last celebration on April 17, 2024. they wish in the process.
four years.” Last year, three local nonprofits each received $100,000 in Impact members each contribute $1,000 annually and
For eligibility requirements and more information, grants. Grant recipients were Alzheimer’s Community Care- award at least one $100,000 Impact grant to a local nonprofit
please visit www.impactpalmbeaches.org. Fostering Independence program; Center for Child Counseling- organization allowing for a significant grant to one organization
Impact the Palm Beaches seeks to fund programs and Keeping Kids Safe program; and Wounded Veterans Relief rather than several smaller gifts. Impact grants fund the following
projects that reach underserved populations and address Fund-Emergency Dental Care for Disabled Veterans. The service areas: arts and culture, education, environment and
or satisfy unmet needs, solve a problem, or create an $77,000 merit grant was awarded to Families First-Infant Mental animal welfare, health and wellness, and family. Membership
opportunity for strategic change, can demonstrate Health-Head Start program. Since 2015, Impact has awarded for the new season is now open and will close on Feb. 29, 2024.
specific, measurable outcomes, and are sustainable well over $1.5 million to area nonprofits. The Town of Palm Beach United Way is the fiscal agent of
into the future. Impact 100 is a worldwide organization with more than 60 Impact the Palm Beaches.
Nonprofits can submit applications that align with any chapters and steadily growing. Their motto is “One Woman, One To learn more about Impact the Palm Beaches, visit www.
of the five Impact focus areas: arts and culture, education, Meeting, One Vote.” It is designed for women who wish to find impactpalmbeaches.org or email info@impactpalmbeaches.org.
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