Page 6 - Jupiter Spotlight - September '19

Page 6, Jupiter Spotlight
Northern Notes

Streets, Swales And Streets And Stormwater Management highways and residential streets. Today, swales not only direct
stormwater but also help filter runoff and reduce pollutants.
Many streets are designed and built with curb and gutter
Stormwater Management along the street and with storm sewers underneath the A swale slows down the rapid flow of stormwater runoff
pavement. The curbs and gutters direct stormwater from by ponding water between its sloping sides, often called
By O’Neal Bardin, Jr., the pavement into the storm sewers. These storm sewers berms. The ponding not only slows the rate of flow but allows
Executive Director, not only collect water from the roadway, but also connect pollutants to settle out of the water. Ponding facilitates water
Northern Palm Beach to other drainage systems to collect water from yards and quality improvements through infiltration, filtration and
County Improvement subdivisions and transport the stormwater to lakes, canals sedimentary deposition. Collected stormwater is expected
District and other outlets. to drain away through the soil within several hours or days.
Streets Did you know that in very heavy rains, some water When the swale becomes full, the cleaner surface water will
Streets are an standing in streets or swales is part of the flood control design spill over the berm and slowly run into a local water body.
important part of Northern plan and is expected? Your neighborhood lake’s water level Eventually, the remaining ponded water will either evaporate
Palm Beach County may seem to rise alarmingly, but that’s not likely to last. If the or infiltrate into the soil.
Improvement District’s system in your neighborhood is working properly, levels will Maintain Proper Swales
overall Stormwater return to normal soon after the rain has stopped. A heavier, • Let water pond. Runoff should temporarily pond in the
Management System. Both more widespread and longer-lasting storm will require more swale for 24 to 36 hours, sometimes even up to 72 hours.
the storm sewers located time for local, secondary and regional systems to absorb • Mow the swale but keep it at a good grass growth. Tall
below the street, ditches or swales located along the street, the excess water. Because these flood control systems are grass slows water movement.
and the roadway itself serve to convey stormwater to connected, what’s happening upstream or downstream from • Remove and compost leaves and grass clippings from
designed locations. At times blockages can occur, which your neighborhood also has an impact. swales.
can cause undesired flooding conditions that may cause Keep It Clear • Minimize use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
roads to become impassable. It is important to understand Many stormwater blockages in streets occur due to clogged within 50 feet of a swale.
the basics of how streets are used to convey stormwater, storm sewer inlets. If there is an inlet in the street adjacent • Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs or garden
in order to identify when problems may occur. to your home, residents are asked to keep this drain clear of debris in swales— this adds pollutants which can wash into
all obstructions including leaves, grass and debris. Debris at downstream waters.
storm sewer inlets also build up after a storm event, which • Do not pave the swale — this reduces the filtration and
Sea Turtle Released from page 1 is a good time to check the inlet to make sure that the system infiltration of runoff.
will work well in the next storm. • Do not park vehicles in the swale— this compacts the
exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Too Deep To Drive? soil so less runoff soaks in. It also destroys the vegetation
Pier, which hosts world-class angling and sightseeing. If during or after a rain event you arrive upon a roadway in the swale that is needed to filter the pollutants out of the
Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle where you cannot determine the depth of the water in the water.
nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open street – for your own safety – do not drive down the street. • Do not alter the design of the swale. Any changes will
daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge each Find an alternate route. require a permit as they may affect drainage.
year. The center’s conservation team works with 90 local Swales Please keep in mind that there is a direct link between what
and international organizations across six continents Chances are if you’ve lived in South Florida long enough, we do around our home and the water quality of our canals,
to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives you’ve heard at least one person refer to a “swale.” A swale ponds, lakes and wetlands.
and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean is a graded and engineered grassy area of land appearing as NPDES tip: It is important to never dump any debris,
conservation. The center is expanding and has launched a linear, shallow, open channel, that stretches from the edge including but not limited to landscape waste, garbage or
its Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, of the sidewalk in front of homes (or the property line if there chemicals into a storm sewer inlet. While bulky materials can
designed to accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation is no sidewalk) to the edge of the street. Swales are typically cause flooding, chemicals and other wastes that are dumped
and education impact. When complete, the facility will vegetated with flood tolerant, erosion resistant plants. Swales into a storm sewer eventually drain into lakes and canals,
offer one of the world’s most advanced and unique are one of the most commonly used stormwater practices. For which threaten fish and wildlife and pollute the water. Please
experiences for guests and scientific partners. For more many years, swales have been used to direct runoff from rural check our website for information regarding illegal dumping.
information, visit marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.

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