Cartoon of turkey on stage

Tom Has A Message For You

A fried turkey is a Thanksgiving treat, but the mess from all that oil is less enticing. After a wonderful meal and it’s time to clean up, do you know what to do with that left-over cooking oil?

You can store used cooking oil to reuse later. If you plan to reuse your cooking oil, you should choose a high-quality oil with a high smoking point and strain it through cheesecloth between each use. Store the used cooking oil in a cool, dry place in a sealed container.

If you choose to dispose of it, do not pour it down your drain. That can cause costly damage to your home plumbing, sewage collection system and septic system. Additionally, do not dispose of used cooking oil in your garden, down a storm drain or into a canal. Once the oil enters the water system it becomes a pollutant and may cause serious harm to water quality and marine life.

To dispose of cooking oil properly, carefully pour the cooled used cooking oil into a large, sturdy plastic container no larger than 5 gallons in size. Don’t mix the used cooking oil with any other liquids or products. Cap it tightly and drop it off at one of the Solid Waste Authority’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. For a complete list of drop-off locations call 561-697-2700 or visit the Solid Waste Authority’s website at https://www.swa.org/173/Used-Cooking-Oil.

Girl holding a sign that reads "thank you"

Year-Round Readiness

South Florida’s weather and residential communities do not always mix well. It does not have to be a tropical storm or hurricane to cause a flooding issue. At any time of the year, a localized downpour from a severe thunderstorm has the potential to cause flooding. Anyone who has experienced these intense rainfall events understands that it only takes a small blockage in a storm drain or malfunctioning control structure to jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of the neighborhood.

The following is a good example of how rapidly the lack of maintenance can result in flooding. A few years ago, the southern portion of LWDD’s boundary experienced a severe and unexpected downpour. Around 1:00 in the morning, LWDD received a call from the President of a homeowner’s association. In a panicked voice he informed staff that flooding was eminent in his community. An LWDD employee was deployed. When he arrived on-site, he noticed there was no positive outflow from the stormwater pond to the drainage canal and it appeared there was an obstruction in the pond’s discharge control structure. Upon further investigation and after clearing 20-30 coconuts from the structure, he was able to provide enough flow of water to prevent a flooding incident. This is a true story but not a unique story.

Many residential communities have faced similar emergencies. It might not be coconuts from surrounding trees; but yard waste, debris, broken or unmaintained control structures and failed pipes can cause a similar crisis. Keeping the community’s drainage system and infrastructure in good working order year-round is a vital and necessary job for the community. You will want to ensure the discharge control structures, swales, storm drains, and outfall pipes have an unobstructed flow and are in good working order. In addition, proper landscape maintenance and removal of any encroachments on canal rights-of-way are imperative to avoid trees toppling over into canals as well as providing a clear path for large equipment should emergency access be required by LWDD crews.

The end of the 2023 storm season is near, but the end of storm readiness never ends.

Seven Fast Facts About Flood Control

image of 7 Fast Facts
Graphic of a residential septic system

Flooding And Septic Systems

During floods or heavy rains, the soil around the septic tank and in the drain field becomes saturated, or water-logged, and the effluent from the septic tank cannot properly drain through the soil. Special care needs to be taken with your septic system during and after a flood or heavy rain.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers these guidelines:

  • Relieve pressure on the septic system by using it less or preferably not at all until floodwaters recede and the soil has drained. For your septic system to work properly, water needs to drain freely in the drain field. Under flooded conditions, water cannot drain properly and can back up into your system. Remember that in most homes all water sent down the pipes goes into the septic system. This includes shower drains and washing machines.
  • Avoid digging around the septic tank and drain field while the soil is waterlogged. Don’t drive heavy vehicles or equipment over the drain field. By using heavy equipment or working under water-logged conditions, you can compact the soil in your drain field, and water won’t be able to drain properly.
  • Don’t open or pump out the septic tank if the soil is still saturated. Silt and mud can get into the tank if it is opened and can end up in the drain field, reducing its drainage capability. Pumping under these conditions can cause a tank to pop out of the ground.
  • How can you tell if your system is damaged? Signs include soil settling, wastewater starts backing up into household drains, the soil in the drain field remains soggy and never fully drains, a foul odor persists around the tank and drain field. If you suspect your system has been damaged, have the tank inspected and serviced by a professional.
  • Keep rainwater drainage systems away from the septic drain field. As a preventive measure, make sure that water from roof gutters doesn’t drain into your septic drain field. This adds an additional source of water that the drain field must process.
  • If your household relies on private well water for home consumption and your property has flooded, it is important to have your well water tested for bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) through your county health department or a private certified lab.

By taking special care with your septic system after flooding, you can contribute to the health of your household, community and environment.

Excerpt from University of Florida IFAS, Savanna Barry, Regional Specialized Extension Agent Cedar Key FL, Aug. 2023, https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/2023/08/30/hurricane-idalia-resources

Rosie Byrd sitting at her desk at work

New Face for Public Outreach

Rosie Byrd joined Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) in August 2023 as a Public Information Specialist and serves as the liaison between the public and LWDD. In her new role, Rosie will communicate and engage the public and stakeholders on LWDD’s mission, responsibilities, and future goals; provide information on canal maintenance activities and water management issues; and encourage positive action regarding flood control responsibilities and hazard mitigation.

Residents can expect to find Rosie attending community and civic group meetings such as the Alliance of Delray and COBWRA. Additionally, Rosie will be monitoring and creating content for LWDD’s social media sites.  Having spent most of her career at the South Florida Water Management District in a variety of roles, Rosie has a well-rounded understanding of stormwater management issues of importance to the property managers and community board members within the LWDD boundary.

Rosie’s greatest joy is spending time with her family and attending her grandkids’ school and sport activities. LWDD is excited to have Rosie as a member of our team and is confident that our residents will enjoy working with her. You can contact Rosie Byrd at rbyrd@lwdd.net or 561-819-5474.