Page 7 - The Shores of Jupiter - December '24

The Shores, Page 7
Northern Notes

Know The Flow inland community. This rain follows a wet period, so systems discharge into local canals managed by Northern
groundwater levels are already high. According to most or other municipalities. Northern uses a telemetry system
By Katie Roundtree, approved drainage designs, some water is temporarily to monitor and remotely open and close gates and pumps.
Director of Finance and stored in public recreational areas, yard swales and Weather conditions and water levels are monitored
Administration, Northern streets. Drainage swale areas are sloped to catch water around the clock. Water levels in the secondary drainage
Palm Beach County and filter out pollutants as water is absorbed into the system can be lowered to allow more water storage and
Improvement District ground. Some yards direct water to the community minimize flooding. These systems discharge water into
Flood control in Florida drainage system as runoff, with very little water retained the “primary” flood control system as long as carrying
is a shared responsibility that in the yard. The excess surface water slowly drains to capacity is available.
provides maximum benefit community lakes or on-site ponds via street and yard The South Florida Water Management District operates
only when all components drainage grates, swales, ditches or canals. Homeowner the “primary” drainage system. In anticipation of heavy
(primary, secondary and associations typically assume the maintenance and upkeep rains, floodgates may be opened, and water levels might
tertiary) are designed and of community drainage facilities. Water then drains from be lowered to accommodate direct rainfall and accept
constructed to work together the community or “tertiary” system through underground inflows from the “secondary” systems. During and after
and are maintained in proper working order. Florida is more pipes to the “secondary” system, which is mainly operated heavy rains, excess water is routed through all available
complex than many states, where one entity usually provides by the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District “primary” waterways to regional storage areas or coastal
local and regional drainage for the community. In Florida, some (Northern) in this area. Cities and the county also maintain discharge points to relieve flooding as quickly and safely
areas have no formal drainage systems and are prone to routine “secondary” systems, depending on development plans. as possible.
flooding; others may be covered by several organizations or The “secondary” drainage system is usually a network What can YOU do to help?
governments providing varying service levels. Depending of canals, structures, pumping stations and storage areas. As a resident or business owner, you play a crucial
on conditions, water may have to be routed through several These systems can cover several hundred square miles and role in flood control. Your actions can significantly
interconnected, though independent, conveyance systems – serve many communities. In communities maintained by impact your community’s resilience to flooding. Here’s
each must be properly maintained and functioning – to provide Northern, stormwater systems are gravity-fed or pumped what you can do:
flood protection for south Florida neighborhoods. using stormwater pump stations. Water moves through 1. Ensure your neighborhood’s drainage grates, ditches,
So, what path does stormwater typically follow from a series of lakes and canals via weirs (fixed structures), and swales are debris-free.
your neighborhood to its final destination? Here’s an operable gates and pump stations. These systems 2. Remove loose items, including yard debris, from
example. Five inches of rain falls in 24 hours over an sometimes move water through multiple communities, your yard. Debris and litter can clog storm drains and
so the “downstream” effects must be considered when cause flooding.
moving water from one area to another. The stormwater 3. Check your community retention pond or lake for
obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority for
removal (this could be your HOA/POA, city, county, or
local drainage district).
4. Find out who is responsible for drainage in your
community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl. Note the
service area status under the search results. It may not be
serviced even if the location is within an agency’s jurisdiction.
As a homeowner or property owner association
official, you are a key player in the flood control
process. Your knowledge and actions can greatly
contribute to your community’s flood resilience. Here’s
what you can do:
1. Familiarize yourself with your particular drainage
system and how it fits into the overall South Florida
drainage picture.
2. Learn how the stormwater system works in your
area and how to properly maintain the facilities under
your responsibility.
3. Understand your community’s irrigation needs.
Turn off your irrigation before a storm. Return to normal
operating conditions after the storm. Remember, if the
ground is saturated, you may not have to irrigate for quite
some time after the storm.
Reporting the location and condition of any clogged
or damaged facilities is a crucial step in flood control. By
doing so, you are actively contributing to your community’s
flood resilience. Please make a note of important telephone
numbers and keep them handy for quick reporting.
NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system
is not a garbage disposal — don’t treat it like one.
Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or
pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt
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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