The District’s Stormwater Management System consists of a series of interconnected lakes, marshes and wetlands. What may appear to be naturally occurring lakes and marshes throughout the DCDD are actually manmade stormwater retention and treatment areas. These lakes, marshes and wetlands are all hydraulically interconected and form the Surface Water Management System. The primary functions of the system is removal of excess storm water from residential/recreation areas, retention of surface water runoffs, recharge of groundwater and control of saltwater intrusion. During periods of high rainfall, excess flows from the lakes are discharged to the Intracoastal Waterway.
After construction by the Developers, these water management systems were deeded to the District. The DCDD is responsible for maintaining the system in accordance with State requirements. Water quality in the system includes removal or treatment of noxious submerged and floating vegetation and algae, water quality monitoring, chemical analysis and shoreline weed control, fish stocking programs and aeration. Mother Nature plays a large role in the overall health and appearance of the lakes and marshes. In drought conditions, water levels and water quality are very difficult to maintain. With normal rainfall, the appearance and water quality of lakes, marshes and wetlands generally improve.
Currently the DCDD maintains three funds to maintain these services. These funds are the Water and Sewer Fund, the Bridge Fund and the General Fund. Up to this point, funding sources for stormwater expenditures have come from the DCDD’s General Fund, which is supplemented by the Bridge Fund and the Water and Sewer Fund. Expenses for the stormwater system are expected to increase due to the age of the system. Therefore, supplemental funding by the other funds for the stormwater system is not sustainable and obscures the true cost of this system.
The DCDD has implemented of a stormwater utility funding program to address long-term maintenance, repair and replacement of the storm drainage infrastructure system that benefits local residents and businesses such as the golf courses. Funds generated by the utility will be used to inspect, assess and repair/replace as needed failing infrastructure (i.e. pipes, manholes and catch basins) and to implement projects to reduce incidents of flooding throughout our community. Many local governments in Florida, including Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and more, have already implemented similar fee programs. Establishment of a Stormwater Utility Fund, paid for by stormwater user fees, will provide a more equitable and sustainable means of funding stormwater system expenditure requirements long-term.
DCDD Policy & Credit Manual: PDF|RTF