Page 22 - Abacoa Community News - April '24

Page 22, Abacoa
Northern Notes

Streets, Swales And over the berm and slowly run into a local water body.
Eventually, the remaining ponded water evaporates or
Stormwater Management infiltrates the soil.
Here Are Some Ways To Maintain Proper Swales
By Katie Roundtree, • Let water pond. Runoff should temporarily pond in
Director of Finance and the swale for 24 to 36 hours, sometimes even up to 72
Administration, Northern hours.
Palm Beach County • Mow the swale but keep good grass growth. Tall
Improvement District grass slows water movement.
Streets and swales are • Remove and compost leaves and grass clippings from
essential components of swales.
the Northern Palm Beach • Minimize the use of fertilizers, pesticides and
County Improvement Blockages can sometimes occur, causing undesired herbicides within 50 feet of a swale.
District’s stormwater flooding conditions and making roads impassable. Many • Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs or garden
management s ys tem. stormwater blockages in streets happen because of debris in swales – this adds pollutants that can wash into
The different parts of the clogged storm sewer inlets. Residents are asked to keep downstream waters.
roadway system help convey stormwater to its ultimate the inlet in the street adjacent to their home clear of all • Do not pave the swale—this reduces the filtration
location. Storm sewers are located below the street obstructions, including leaves, grass and debris. Debris and infiltration of runoff.
and convey water through pipes to lakes or preserves. at storm sewer inlets also builds up after a storm event, • Do not park vehicles in the swale. This compacts the
Ditches or swales are located along the street and trap making it an excellent time to check the inlet and ensure soil, allowing less runoff to soak in. It also destroys the
stormwater for water quality purposes. Finally, the the system works well during the next storm. vegetation needed to filter pollutants out of the water.
roadway itself conveys stormwater to designated locations. Swales • Do not alter the swale’s design. Any changes that
Understanding the basics of how streets and swales convey Chances are, if you’ve lived in South Florida long may affect drainage will require a permit.
stormwater is crucial in identifying potential problems. enough, you’ve heard at least one person use the word As we approach the rainy season in South Florida, it
Streets swale. Swales are engineered grassy areas of land that is crucial to remember that some standing water in streets
Did you know that in very heavy rains, some water appear as a linear, shallow, open channel that stretches and swales is normal during heavy rains. Streets and
standing in streets or swales is part of the flood control from the edge of the sidewalk in front of homes (or the swales are an integral part of the stormwater system. If
design plan and is expected? Streets are designed and built property line if there is no sidewalk) to the edge of the you cannot determine the water depth in the street during
with curbs and gutters along the street and storm sewers street. Swales are typically vegetated with flood-tolerant, or after a rain event, do not drive down the street for your
underneath the pavement. These curbs and gutters direct erosion-resistant plants. They are one of the most safety. Find an alternate route. Cars can lose traction in
stormwater from the pavement into the storm sewers. commonly used stormwater practices to direct runoff from as little as 6 inches of water. If you are unsure how deep
Storm sewers collect water from the roadway and connect rural highways and residential streets. Today, swales help the water is, turn around. It’s much better to play it safe
to other drainage systems, which collect water from yards filter runoff and reduce pollutants. than get stuck.
and subdivisions, transporting the stormwater to lakes, A swale slows down the rapid flow of stormwater NPDES tip: It is important to never dump any debris,
canals, and other outlets. runoff by ponding water between its sloping sides, often including but not limited to landscape waste, garbage or
During heavy rain, when water flows from the streets called berms. Ponding slows the flow rate and allows chemicals into a storm sewer inlet. While bulky materials
into the lakes, the water level in the neighborhood lake pollutants to settle out of the water. Ponding facilitates can cause flooding, chemicals and other wastes that are
may appear to rise quickly, but it’s unlikely to last. If water quality improvements through infiltration, filtration dumped into a storm sewer eventually drain into lakes and
the system in your neighborhood works correctly, levels and sedimentary deposition. Collected stormwater must canals, which threaten fish and wildlife and pollute the
will return to normal soon after the rain stops. A more drain through the soil within several hours or days. When water. Please check our website for information regarding
widespread and longer-lasting rain event will require more the swale becomes full, the cleaner surface water will spill illegal dumping.
time for local, secondary and regional systems to absorb
the excess water. Do Students With Disabilities

Attend College?
Town Of Jupiter News from page 21

Quality Of Services
“Emergency Preparedness” ranked No. 5 of 320 By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., housing along with coaching or mentoring to students with
nationally, No. 2 of 24 in Florida. Licensed School disabilities. They help facilitate the transition to college by
“Police” ranked No. 39 of 386 nationally, No. 4 of Psychologist providing tutoring, executive functioning skills coaching
26 in Florida. The high school to and socialization for students.
“Town Government” ranked No. 56 of 368 college transition is a Students with developmental disabilities or intellectual
nationally, No. 5 of 25 in Florida. milestone step in a teen’s disabilities also attend college. Florida Atlantic University
Natural Environment life and independent living. offers the Academy for Community Inclusion on the Jupiter
“Water Resources” ranked No. 6 of 238 nationally, With hard work students and Boca Raton campuses. This program allows students to
No. 3 of 23 in Florida. with learning disabilities, participate in college activities, clubs and organizations as
“Overall Quality of Environment” ranked No. 7 of mild autism, ADHD, and they take college courses to earn certificates. Students have
294 nationally, No. 2 of 24 in Florida. other disabilities attend and a college experience while gaining skills for independence
Local Economy graduate from college. In and employment.
“Variety of business and service establishments” addition to your student’s hard work, planning for college Of course, college is not the right fit for everyone and
ranked No. 19 of 320 nationally, No. 4 of 23 in Florida. is an important factor to set your student up for success. there are plenty of well-paying jobs that don’t require a
“Quality of business and service establishments” Expert college planners such as those at Class 101 North degree. Mike Rowe is a television personality and host
ranked No. 18 of 258 nationally, No. 3 of 24 in Florida. Palm Beach help all high school students, including those of Dirty Jobs. He is a huge advocate of the trades and has
“Cost of Living” ranked No. 264 of 310 nationally, with disabilities, identify the right college. They specialize resources on his website or podcast.
No. 21 of 24 in Florida. [Improvement Area] in supporting families through the entire process from We know students with disabilities who are successful
Custom Questions identifying colleges for their unique needs, applying, essay in college and life because of caring parents, family and
1.) How concerned are you about each of writing and ensuring that accommodations are available. mentors. Reach out if we can help you as we test students
the following aspects of new development and Class 101 college planners even guide families on available from preschool through graduate school. If you need
redevelopment projects in Jupiter? scholarships for making college more affordable. updated testing or are concerned about a potential learning
a. Increased traffic = 67 percent very concerned, 28 While many college students live on campus, some disability, autism or ADHD, visit JimForgan.com or call
percent somewhat concerned live in off-campus housing with support. The organization (561) 625-4125.
b. Increased housing density = 61 percent very called College Living Experience.com provides off-campus
concerned, 30 percent somewhat concerned
c. Allowing increased building heights = 57 percent Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,
very concerned, 26 percent somewhat concerned
2.) Are you more likely to be accepting of the
aspect items listed above if new development or Gifted Testing
redevelopment proposal included?
a. Public amenities (e.g. green space, public art,
public access to waterways) = 81 percent Yes/19 NOW OFFERING: Dr. Jim Forgan & Associates
percent No • Jupiter & Stuart Offices
b. Workforce housing = 48 percent Yes/52 percent No Licensed School Psychologist
c. Affordable housing = 59 percent Yes/41 percent No • Testing for Processing www.JimForgan.com
The preceding represents a small sampling of town Problems, Anxiety,
resident survey results. The Town Council, Town Defiance (561) 625-4125
Manager and Town Staff make a significant effort • Weekend and After
to understand the complete scope of resident survey School Appointments
results, and take it into account in how the Town
of Jupiter operates as well as how we evaluate new
development and redevelopment proposals. “Helping Parents Help Children”