Trash Dump on canal

Pollution Has A Cost

Keeping Our Canal System Clean

Discarding of vegetative debris or other trash in the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canals or along the rights-of-way is illegal. Under the “Florida Litter Law” Florida Statute 403.413, dumping materials on public or private property is punishable by fine and potential jail time. Within LWDD’s service area, illegally dumped items are largely non-hazardous solid wastes that are inconvenient or costly to dispose of properly. Typical litter items include household trash, furniture, appliances, tires and vegetative debris from lawn maintenance and tree trimming.  Offenders most often include residents and construction and landscape contractors.

Some of the negative effects of illegal dumping can impact public safety, the surrounding environment, and the local economy. For example, using a drainage canal as a dump site can reduce the flood control capacity of the canal and threaten the safety of residents. Additionally, trash dumped on the canal right-of-way can impede access needed for regular maintenance or emergency response during severe weather. While landfills are designed to prevent waste from leaching into the ground or adjacent waterbody, this is not true for illegal dumping which may adversely impact the surrounding area. Finally, dumping is an eyesore and governments must redirect resources to clean-up materials and provide pollution mediation.

If you witness an illegal dumping incident in progress, call your local law enforcement agency or 911. Catching dumpers in the act is the best way for police to apprehend offenders and deter future violations. Never confront someone who is dumping. Instead, try to get the vehicle license number and description of the vehicle used to commit the crime. Most importantly, share this information with your neighbors and encourage them to always dispose of yard waste and trash properly. For more information on the proper disposal of trash visit Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County.

rose colored sunglasses

Required Degree of Canal Maintenance

The Lake Worth Drainage District’s (LWDD) stormwater management system is made up of the canal channels, rights-of-way on each side of the canals, and controls structures and pumps. Consisting of a network of more than 500 miles of canals, over 1,000 miles of rights-of-way, and 20 major control structures, LWDD provides effective flood control and water supply for residents, businesses, and agriculture within its boundary.

Effective stormwater management is dependent on well-maintained canals and rights-of-way. But what defines ‘well-maintained’? A canal or right-of-way that some property owners may consider an eyesore is often considered well-maintained for flood control operations by water managers.

Some of the necessary components for effective flood control include the free flow of water in the canal channels to divert excess stormwater from properties, and unencumbered canal rights-of-way to provide access for regular maintenance and emergency response. Through the process of aquatic vegetation control, canal bank mowing, and encroachment removal, effective flood control maintenance is achieved.

There are numerous species of aquatic plants found within the LWDD’s canal system. Some aquatic vegetation has the potential to slow the flow of water within the canal channel or control structures. This vegetation growth is controlled with the application of herbicides and/or mechanical removal. Although not esthetically pleasing to some property owners, algae in canals is not a threat to flood control. Because algae are very small plants that break apart easily, they can pass through drainage pipes and control structures. This is good news since the herbicide used to treat algae can be harmful to the water body.

Canal rights-of-way and banks are mowed approximately 3 to 4 times a year. Flat-mowers mow the rights-of-way, and arm-mowers maintain the side slopes of the canals. High grass does not prevent access to canals or threaten flood control operations. It is not uncommon for grasses to grow several inches in height before mowing crews return to an area.

To enhance their property, residents adjacent to a canal sometimes place unauthorized vegetation or structures such as swing-sets, fences, and sheds on LWDD’s right-of-way. Encroachments must be removed because they may fall into the canal during high wind events causing blockages or slowing the progression of drainage. Additionally, encroachments can obscure sightlines for visual inspections, and impede LWDD’s access which is a critical component for public safety.

Flood control and the maintenance it requires comes at a cost. All property owners within LWDD’s boundary, whether adjacent to a canal or miles inland, are assessed at the same tax rate. In 2021 the assessed rate is $49.50 for a parcel equal to or less than an acre in size. By operating its stormwater management system to well-maintained flood control standards, LWDD can achieve its mission of effective flood control at a fair and affordable cost for all its residents.

maintaining canal

What Is A Well-maintained Canal?

The Lake Worth Drainage District canals exist for purpose of stormwater management. Through its network of drainage canals, the District provides flood control making the land suitable for residents, businesses and agriculture. Effective flood control is dependent on well-maintained canals and rights-of-way.  But, what is meant by well-maintained? A canal or right-of-way that some property owners may consider an eye-sore is often considered well-maintained for effective flood control operations by the District.

Some of the necessary components for effective flood control include the free flow of water in the canal channel to diverted excess stormwater from properties and the unencumbered canal rights-of-way to provide access for regular maintenance and emergency response. Through the process of aquatic vegetation removal and canal bank mowing the components of effective flood control are achieved.

There are several types of aquatic plants found within the canals. When aquatic vegetation has the potential to block the flow of water within the canal channel or at flood control structures District crews control the growth with the application of herbicides or mechanical removal. Although not esthetically pleasing to some property owners, alga in most instances, is not a threat to flood control in District canals. This is good news since the herbicide used to control alga can be environmental harmful. Rights-of-way or canal banks are mowed approximately 4-times a year. Tractor-mowers maintain the top of the canal bank and arm-mowers maintain the side slope of the canals. Grasses and other vegetation can grow several inches in height before the mowing crew returns to an area.

Flood control and the maintenance it requires comes at a cost. All property owners, whether adjacent to a District canal or miles away, are assessed at the same tax rate. The assessed rate is established by the District’s Board of Supervisors. Funds are budgeted to provide for the necessary maintenance needed for flood control at an affordable cost to taxpays.  In 2018, the non-ad valorem assessment rate is $48 for a parcel equal to or less than an acre in size.

Although most property lines do not extend up to the water’s edge, some property owners adjacent to a District’s right-of-way may choose to maintain the grass to a higher degree. However, this would be at their cost and no encroachments would be allowed such as trees, shrubs or other vegetation. One to the District’s critical missions is to provide affordable and effective flood control all taxpayers within its boundary.

Board members at dais

Annual Landowner’s Meeting

On January 6, LWDD held its Annual Landowner’s Meeting. Board of Supervisors elections took place. Jeffrey P. Phipps, Sr. was elected to Sub District 3 and John I. Whitworth, III was elected to Sub District 5. Executive Director Tommy Strowd, P.E. provided an overview of the District’s 2020 accomplishments. You can watch a recording of Mr. Strowd’s presentation by clicking on the link below.

LWDD Annual Report to Landowner’s 2021

Encroachment on Right-of-way

Residents Using Public Land

Many people in southeastern Palm Beach County live adjacent to a Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canal. To enhance their backyard, residents look to install landscape materials or structures such as swing-sets, fences, and patio decks. Often without realizing it, these enhancements are installed on LWDD’s rights-of-way which is publicly managed land.

Effective flood control depends on LWDD’s extensive network of canals to move stormwater away from homes after major weather events. Vegetation and other structures on the canal rights-of-way can severely hinder LWDD’s ability to keep residents safe during and after severe storms. Trees and large shrubs can topple over in high winds blocking emergency access along the canal bank or fall into the canal channel blocking the flow of water. Encroachments not only endanger the residents adjacent to the canal but also individuals living miles inland.

Maintaining water flow within the canal channel and access along the right-of-way is vital for public safety. It requires daily maintenance by LWDD crews as well as the removal of identified encroachments. LWDD encourages all property owners to contact us prior to the installation of landscaping or structures to ensure it is not located on public land. No matter how expensive the installation or beautiful, unauthorized encroachments will have to be removed. Considering installation and removal, this can be a costly mistake for homeowners.

If you live adjacent to a canal, contact LWDD staff at info@lwdd.net to verify the location of your next project and help us keep you and your neighbors safe.