Page 16 - Southern Exposure - December '24

Page 16, Southern Exposure

nortHern notes

Know The Flow

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Flood control in Florida is serviced even if the location is within an agency’s
a shared responsibility that jurisdiction.
provides maximum benefit As a homeowner or property owner association
only when all components official, you are a key player in the flood control
(primary, secondary and process. Your knowledge and actions can greatly
tertiary) are designed and contribute to your community’s flood resilience.
constructed to work together Here’s what you can do:
and are maintained in proper 1. Familiarize yourself with your particular
working order. Florida is drainage system and how it fits into the overall
more complex than many South Florida drainage picture.
states, where one entity 2. Learn how the stormwater system works in your
usually provides local and area and how to properly maintain the facilities under
regional drainage for the community. In Florida, some areas your responsibility.
have no formal drainage systems and are prone to routine 3. Understand your community’s irrigation needs.
flooding; others may be covered by several organizations or Turn off your irrigation before a storm. Return
governments providing varying service levels. Depending to normal operating conditions after the storm.
on conditions, water may have to be routed through several Remember, if the ground is saturated, you may not
interconnected, though independent, conveyance systems have to irrigate for quite some time after the storm.
–each must be properly maintained and functioning – to Reporting the location and condition of any
provide flood protection for south Florida neighborhoods. clogged or damaged facilities is a crucial step in flood
So, what path does stormwater typically follow from control. By doing so, you are actively contributing
your neighborhood to its final destination? Here’s an to your community’s flood resilience. Please make a
example. Five inches of rain falls in 24 hours over an inland note of important telephone numbers and keep them
community. This rain follows a wet period, so groundwater handy for quick reporting.
levels are already high. According to most approved NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system
drainage designs, some water is temporarily stored in public is not a garbage disposal — don’t treat it like one.
recreational areas, yard swales and streets. Drainage swale Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
areas are sloped to catch water and filter out pollutants as dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets
water is absorbed into the ground. Some yards direct water or pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and
to the community drainage system as runoff, with very little dirt into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings
water retained in the yard. The excess surface water slowly and other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas
drains to community lakes or on-site ponds via street and trees, etc.) directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage
yard drainage grates, swales, ditches or canals. Homeowner facilities clear of vegetation, trash, improperly and
associations typically assume the maintenance and upkeep illegally discarded appliances, shopping carts, tires,
of community drainage facilities. Water then drains from cars, garbage bags, etc.
the community or “tertiary” system through underground
pipes to the “secondary” system, which is mainly operated
by the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
(Northern) in this area. Cities and the county also maintain Experience Dentistry
“secondary” systems, depending on development plans.
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 Northern, with a
stormwater systems are gravity-fed or pumped using
stormwater pump stations. Water moves through a series
of lakes and canals via weirs (fixed structures), operable
gates and pump stations. These systems sometimes move
water through multiple communities, so the “downstream”
effects must be considered when moving water from one Woman’s Touch
area to another. The stormwater systems discharge into
local canals managed by 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. Water levels Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
in the secondary drainage system can be lowered to allow
more water storage and minimize flooding. These systems
discharge water into the “primary” flood control system as State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
long as carrying capacity is available.
The South Florida Water Management District operates
the “primary” drainage system. In anticipation of heavy Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available
rains, floodgates may be opened, and water levels might be
lowered to accommodate direct rainfall and accept inflows
from the “secondary” systems. During and after heavy
rains, excess water is routed through all available “primary” Joanne Green, D.D.S.
waterways to regional storage areas or coastal discharge
points to relieve flooding as quickly and safely as possible.
What can YOU do to help? 10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
As a resident or business owner, you play a crucial role
in flood control. Your actions can significantly impact Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
your community’s resilience to flooding. Here’s what
you can do:
1. Ensure your neighborhood’s drainage grates, ditches, (561) 622-2815
and swales are debris-free.
2. Remove loose items, including yard debris, from your www.joannegreendds.com
yard. Debris and litter can clog storm drains and cause
flooding.
3. Check your community retention pond or lake for Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry - Cum Laude
obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority for
removal (this could be your HOA/POA, city, county, or Hospital of the University of Penn - General Practice Residency Training
local drainage district). Harvard Dental School - Former Instructor
4. Find out who is responsible for drainage in your Boston Brigham and Women’s Dental Group - Staff Dentist
community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl. Note the
service area status under the search results. It may not be