Stormwater System Maintenance Tips

The Rainy Season is Coming!!!

Heavy rainfall and flat terrain in South Florida cause flooding problems, especially during the rainy season. Damages from flooding cause physical and environmental impacts, and the cost for correcting the damage is always high. Prevention of stormwater problems through proper maintenance is far easier and less expensive than correcting them.

Flood Control is a Shared Responsibility

Florida’s drainage and flood control is through a complex network of canals and water control structures that convey excess water into regional storage areas or out to the ocean. The path of stormwater begins in the neighborhoods and commercial plazas and travels to city, county or local drainage district canals and finally to SFWMD canals or natural rivers. If any part of this system is not properly maintained, the possibility for failure and subsequent downstream damage is very real. The key to effective maintenance is the assignment of responsibilities to an established organization such as a local government or homeowner’s association. The majority of private property owners are responsible for thier own stormwater management system. Failure to provide proper maintenance reduces the pollutant removal efficiency and the systems overall flow capacity.

Maintenance Tips

Some things you can do to keep your stormwater system as efficient as possible are:

• Know how your stormwater system works. Be aware of the location, condition and operation of all facilities that you are responsible for maintaining.
• Keep all inlets, pipes and culverts clean and free of debris. The grates should be kept unobstructed and any sediment, trash or debris in the inlets or pipes should be removed.
• Swales and grassed areas tend to fill in with vegetation and sediment with age. It is important to mow swales regularly and do not fill with yard waste, clippings or vegetation.
• Stabilize eroded areas in ditches and canals with appropriate materials such as sod or plantings. The existing slopes and dimensions should be compared against the original design.
• Remove any dead vegetation, trash and debris from all lakes. Erosion or washouts should be reparied or vegetated. Outfall pipes should be open and clear.
• Conduct routine inspections on all outfall structures to make sure no obstructions are present or repairs are needed. Trash or vegetation should be removed.

Illicit Connections

The City of Greenacres cares about the stormwater management system and the quality of water entering and leaving our area. You can help us maintain quality standards by reporting illicit connections to the city. Illicit connections are discharges of any pollutants into the stormwater system, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, sewage, chemicals and oil.