maintaining canal

What Is A Well-maintained Canal?

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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.

Shaking hands image

Doing Business With LWDD

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The Lake Worth Drainage District purchases goods and services from various vendors throughout the state.  Our procurement practices promote fairness and encourage diversity and are consistent with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. The District encourages qualified vendors and contractors to respond to solicitations by submitting offers and proposals.

Notices of solicitations are posted on this site when available. Vendors are encouraged to register here to receive email notifications when business opportunities are posted. Register at https://lwddnet.wpengine.com/enotifications.

Vendors are not required to pre-register with the District. However, prior to award of a contract or purchase of goods or services, all vendors are required to submit a W-9 Form and a completed Direct Deposit Authorization Form in order to be registered in the financial system for invoice processing and payment.  Additionally, prior to performing services for the District, applicable vendors must provide required certification of insurance. Contact the District’s Finance Department for forms or questions at 561-498-5363 or info@lwdd.net.

Visit the Procurement page on our website for more information. Click her for our Procurement Page

Trash Dump on canal

Canals Are Not Dump Sites

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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” (Link: 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, 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 health and 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 can harm local areas. Finally, dumping is an eyesore that negatively affects surrounding property values 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 dumpers 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 trash properly. For more information on the proper disposal of trash visit Palm Beach County Solid Waste website at ( https://www.swa.org/408/For-Residents )

Photo of low water level in pond

Expect Lower Water Levels In Ponds

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It may surprise some residents within the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) boundary to learn that the waterbody that is often referred to as the community lake is in fact a stormwater management pond. A stormwater management pond is an engineered structure built to gather surface water runoff (rainfall). The pond temporarily stores water and then releases it at a controlled rate until the designed water elevation in the pond is achieved.

Although stormwater ponds can be an attractive feature for the community, this may not be the case during Florida’s dry season that runs from approximately October to May. During the dry season it is expected that ponds will have a lower water elevation which may expose sandy banks and reduce the ability to utilize the pond for lawn irrigation. Since rainfall is the primary way stormwater ponds receive their water supply, and water from the LWDD canal system cannot be used to recharge ponds, these conditions will continue until additional rainfall occurs.

However, during the dry season when water levels are lower, it is the ideal time of year for communities to conduct inspections of their drainage infrastructure and make any necessary repairs. To ensure you have a well-maintained drainage system, communities should:

  • Keep swale areas free of debris & vegetation and mow regularly.
  • Clear trash and debris from street drains.
  • Inspect discharge points/outfalls into LWDD canals.
  • Have underground drainage pipes inspected every three to five years.
  • Exercise operable discharge control structures by opening and closing them a few times.
  • Visually inspect fixed discharge control structures for structural integrity and potential blockages.

More information on community drainage maintenance can be found on LWDD’s website at (Link: www.lwdd.net ).

Board members at dais

Annual Landowner’s Meeting

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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