Follow the Rules When Draining Your Pools

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Dear Property Managers, HOA Boards and Homeowners,

We hope this letter finds you well. The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) occasionally receives questions and complaints regarding the proper procedures for draining swimming pools.

Please be advised that discharging pool water into LWDD canals is strictly prohibited for several important reasons, including:

  • Releasing pool chemicals into the canal can negatively impact water quality.
  • Large volumes of water discharged at a single location can cause canal bank erosion (washouts), which are time-consuming and costly to repair.

Local municipal regulations and/or permits apply when draining a swimming pool. Coordinating with your municipality and/or homeowners’ association is essential to ensure approved practices are being followed before beginning any work.

Once all required approvals have been obtained, please keep the following best practices in mind when draining a pool:

  • Dechlorinate the water by allowing the pool to sit for at least one week without adding chlorine, or ensure chlorine levels are reduced to zero.
  • Confirm that the pH level is between approximately 6.5 and 7.8 prior to draining.
  • Drain the water slowly by controlling the discharge rate.
  • Disperse the flow over a wide area to help prevent erosion.
  • Use a silt fence or similar barrier to capture sediment.
  • Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations.

The purpose of this outreach is to promote awareness and prevent potential negative impacts. We respectfully ask property managers and HOA representatives to remind residents to follow the rules when draining swimming pools.

Thank you for your time and cooperation in helping protect our shared water resources.

Sincerely,

The Lake Worth Drainage District

Drought

PBC is in a Serious Drought; Here’s What You Can Do

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Dear Property Managers and HOA Boards,

Drought conditions in Palm Beach County continue to worsen as the dry season progresses. Your Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is recommending communities begin taking proactive, voluntary water conservation measures.

While there are currently no mandatory water restrictions issued for the county by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), now is the time for you as community leaders to ask your residents to voluntarily reduce landscape irrigation, one of the largest uses of water in our region.

Following is key information you can communicate to your residents.

What Residents Should Know:

  • Dry conditions are forecast to worsen and community lakes are expected to be low, especially if used for irrigation.
  • Significant rainfall is the only relief, and it is uncertain when that will occur. (The wet season typically begins in mid-May.)
  • LWDD is carefully managing water levels in our system to conserve limited regional water.
  • There are no mandatory water use cutbacks in effect at this time. Any such restrictions would be imposed by the South Florida Water Management District. Those cutbacks would apply to the LWDD and all permitted water users.
  • Irrigation connections to LWDD canals for individual residences are not permitted, and residents should remove any such connections.

Encourage Voluntary Conservation

  • Remind residents to water only when necessary.
  • Follow existing irrigation schedules without exceeding them.

Review HOA Irrigation Policies

  • Consider temporary flexibility for brown or dormant lawns.
  • Emphasize plant health over cosmetic appearance.

Plan Landscaping Investments Carefully

  • Evaluate whether large-scale replanting can be phased or delayed.
  • Prioritize drought-tolerant and native species.
  • New plantings may face challenges if there are restrictions.

Inspect and Optimize Irrigation Systems

  • Repair leaks, broken heads or overspray.
  • Adjust timers for seasonal conditions.
  • Ensure systems are not operating during rainfall or windy periods.

Educate Residents

  • Share conservation tips through newsletters and community portals.
  • Reinforce that water-saving measures protect long-term community resilience.

Why This Matters Now

Should water use restrictions become necessary, communities that have already adopted conservation-minded practices will be better positioned to adapt smoothly and minimize landscape loss.

We appreciate your leadership in helping residents understand that responsible water use today helps safeguard our shared resources tomorrow.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

The Lake Worth Drainage District

Improving Water Supply With a Restored Pump Installation

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LWDD field crews installed a refurbished pump to improve and protect the water supply for residents and businesses in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

John I. Whitworth III: Celebrating 35 Years of Public Service

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For Immediate Release

May 12, 2025

Delray Beach, FL – You’ve likely driven past it on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) countless times.

Officially called the E-1 Equalizer Canal, the drainage conveyance is vital to providing flood control and water supply in western Palm Beach County.

This month, the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) named the waterway to honor 35 years of public service by LWDD Board of Supervisors member John I. Whitworth III.

“John has always been a guardian of this agency, its work to provide flood control and water supply and its dedicated staff,” said LWDD Executive Director Tommy Strowd. “He remains committed to ensuring flood control and water supply remain a top priority. His leadership has reinforced the vital importance of these canals, which must continue to serve future generations.”

The Whitworth Canal runs the entire span of the LWDD, which covers 200 square miles from Okeechobee Boulevard to the north to the Broward County line in the south and serves more than 800,000 residents. The canal, which once bordered the Whitworth family farm, is 26-miles long and was designed to convey 2,768 gallons of water a second.

Equally as critical to the region is Whitworth himself.

Part of a longtime Palm Beach County farming family, Whitworth never missed a board meeting in 35 years.

Respected for his knowledge of agriculture and water management, Whitworth has helped direct operations for the LWDD to meet ever changing community needs.

During 35 years of public service, Whitworth has been a steadfast guardian of the LWDD’s canals and rights-of-way, along with the agency’s water control structures and staff.

His leadership continues to ensure the agency operates to serve the region’s ongoing growth and transition from an agricultural landscape to residential communities.

Amid this change, Whitworth has remained committed to ensure flood control and water supply remain top priorities.

Whitworth was elected to the LWDD Board of Supervisors in October 1990. He represents Sub-District 5, which is generally located south of Delray West Road (W. Atlantic Ave.) and north of the Hillsboro canal, between Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 95.

He attended school at Gordon Military College in Georgia and the University of Florida.

Media Materials:

Contact:

Gabe Margasak

Public Information Officer

Lake Worth Drainage District

gmargasak@lwdd.net | 561-819-5569

Storm Season Preparedness: Annual Flood Control Workshop 2025

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Flood control in Palm Beach County is a shared responsibility. The Lake Worth Drainage District hosted an informational workshop for community property managers and association board members to help prepare for the upcoming storm season. LWDD Executive Director Tommy Strowd presented the group with an overview of the system and outlined how communities can prepare for storms. Photo Gallery