2026 Wet Season Coordination Call Presentation Now Available

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Thank you for attending the 2026 Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) Wet Season Coordination Call.

Your participation will help ensure the flood control system operates as designed to protect residents, businesses and agriculture.

The presentation to communicate what you as property managers and HOA board members need to know about your water management responsibilities is available below:

The LWDD plans to host this Wet Season Coordination Call each year at the start of the wet season. In addition, the LWDD will host a similar coordination call as needed before and after a storm or major rainfall event.

Email info@lwdd.net with further questions you may have.

Kind regards,
Gabe Margasak
Public Information Officer
info@lwdd.net

NBC6: South Florida’s worst drought in decades dries up habitats, fuels wildfires

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NBC6: By Guamay Martell

Water is life for us all.

It connects our ecosystem and without it, green turns brown. And, what once looked vibrant turned dull longer than expected.

This is a shift seen across much of the Sunshine State as South Florida endured one of its driest periods in decades.

2026 began with a rainfall deficit and for many at home, the difference may have been subtle.

The South Florida Water Management District works year‑round to keep daily impacts to a minimum, but that doesn’t mean drought goes unnoticed. Its effects show up beyond our backyards, it’s felt in tourism, in agriculture and in the wildlife that depends on this delicate balance.

(Click here for the NBC6 report.)

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.