Page 21 - Southern Exposure - March '23

Southern Exposure, Page 21

northern noteS

Know The Flow

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

Flood control in Florida yard swales and streets. The excess surface water slowly What Can You Do To Help?
is a shared responsibility that drains to community lakes or on-site ponds via street and
provides maximum benefit yard drainage grates, swales, ditches or canals. Water then Residents And Business Owners
only when all components drains from the community or “tertiary” system through ○ Make sure drainage gates, ditches and swales in your
(primary, secondary and underground pipes to the “secondary” system, in this neighborhood are clear of debris.
tertiary) are designed and area mainly operated by Northern Palm Beach County ○ Remove loose items, including yard debris, from your
constructed to work together Improvement District (Northern) or the city or county. yard. Debris and litter can clog storm drains and cause
and are maintained in proper Maintenance and upkeep of community drainage facilities flooding.
working order. Florida is are typically the responsibility of homeowner associations. ○ Check your community retention pond or lake for
more complex than many The “secondary” drainage system is usually a network of obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority for
states, where one entity canals, structures, pumping stations and storage areas. These removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local drainage
is usually responsible for systems can cover several hundred square miles and serve district).
providing local and regional drainage for the community. many communities. In communities maintained by Northern, ○ Find out who is responsible for drainage in your
Some areas have no formal drainage systems and are prone storm water systems are gravity-fed or pumped using storm community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl.
to routine flooding; others may be covered by several water pump stations. Water moves through a series of lakes Homeowner Association Officials
organizations or governments providing varying service and canals via weirs (fixed structures), operable gates and Familiarize yourself with your particular drainage system
levels. Depending on conditions, water may have to be pump stations. These systems move water through multiple and how it fits into the overall south Florida drainage picture.
routed through several interconnected, though independent, communities at times, so the “downstream” effects must be Specifically, learn how the system works and how to maintain
conveyance systems – each of which must be properly considered when moving water from one area to another. The the facilities under your responsibility properly.
maintained and functioning – to provide flood protection for storm water systems discharge into local canals managed Report the location and condition of any clogged or
south Florida neighborhoods. by either Northern or other municipalities. Northern uses a damaged facilities to the proper authority (homeowner
So, what path does storm water typically follow from your telemetry system to monitor and remotely open and close association, city, county or local drainage district, or the
neighborhood to its final destination? Here’s an example. Five gates and pumps. Weather conditions and water levels are South Florida Water Management District) in advance of
inches of rain falls in 24 hours over an inland community. monitored around the clock. These systems discharge water and during the summer rainy season. Please make a note of
This rain follows in the “primary” flood control system as long as carrying important telephone numbers and keep them handy.
a wet period, capacity is available. NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is not a
so groundwater Finally, the water flows to the “primary” drainage system garbage disposal – don’t treat it like one. Encourage residents
levels are already operated by the South Florida Water Management District to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals, fertilizer,
high. According (SFWMD) or other natural waterways. Floodgates may be paint, oil, etc. in inlets or pipes. Discourage sweeping of
to most approved opened, and water levels might be lowered in anticipation of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains and disposing of
drainage designs, heavy rains to accommodate direct rainfall and inflows from lawn clippings and other debris (wood, concrete blocks,
some water is the “secondary” systems. During and after heavy rains, excess Christmas trees, etc.) directly into retention lakes. Keep
temporarily water is routed through all available “primary” waterways to drainage facilities clear of vegetation, trash, improperly and
stored in public regional storage areas or coastal discharge points to relieve illegally discarded appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars,
recreational areas, flooding as quickly and safely as possible. garbage bags, etc.

(786) 318-1450
(local)

(201) 452-6859