About:

The Stormwater Operations program was developed to provide a dedicated operational focus to maintaining and improving the City of Fort Lauderdale’s stormwater infrastructure. The stormwater workgroups serve in tandem to proactively inspect stormwater infrastructure, respond to neighbor concerns related to street flooding, proactively maintain the stormwater system, repair and replace aging infrastructure, and construct swales to reduce street flooding and stormwater runoff and improve the water quality of our waterways.

Stormwater is a multi-jurisdictional operation, but the City operates, repairs, and maintains much of the stormwater infrastructure within City limits, including:

• 191.76 miles of stormwater gravity main
• 9,604 inlets
• 1,490 manholes
• 1,031 outfalls
• 12 drainage wells
• 187 tidal valves

The Stormwater Operations staff is committed to proactively maintain the City's stormwater infrastructure.

Services:

Proactive Catch Basin Inspections

Reactive Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair

Street Sweeping

Swales

Understanding the Melrose Park Drainage System

Stormwater Plans:

Stormwater Master Plan 

WAMP (Watershed Asset Management Plan) 

Proactive Catch Basin Inspections and Maintenance

The scheduled Stormwater Maintenance Program provides for each storm drain to be inspected twice annually in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) guidelines, as set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Reactive Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair

Our Stormwater team investigates potential stormwater issues when notified by the public or by other departments or municipalities. Once investigated, our team will then mitigate the issue through jet vac or repair services. 

To report flooding or a clogged City owned stormdrain, please contact our 24-Hour Customer Call center at (954) 828-8000, or click Customer Service (Lauderserv).

Street Sweeping

There is a total of 900 curb and straight miles of roadway in the City that includes county, state and federal roads that fall within the City limits that require street sweeping.  There are three sweeper vehicle/machines covering three regions and runs on average 8 hours a day.

Keeping debris off the street and out of the gutters prevents the debris from entering and plugging the storm drainage system Clean streets and gutters not only give the City an overall clean appearance, but aids in helping reduce traffic accidents.

Swales

A properly maintained swale helps prevent stormwater pollution flooding. Swales are designed to collect rainwater, filter pollutants, control flooding, prevent erosion, and provide a drainage area for stormwater. The following information will assist you with ensuring your swale area manages stormwater runoff efficiently.

• Mow and maintain swale areas to promote healthy grass growth.
• Minimize the use of lawn and garden chemicals.
• Avoid over watering the swale area. If water is standing in the swale when it has not rained, reduce irrigation.
• Keep swales free of litter, branches, leaves and limbs so water can soak into the ground.
• Avoid parking cars on swales. This compacts the soil and prevents stormwater from soaking into the ground.
• Swales located in or partially in the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Right of Way may not be altered by regrading or filling with concrete, rock, dirt, landscaping, trees or anything other than grass unless a City permit has been obtained. 
• Altering a swale may disrupt its natural drainage features, causing flooding and stormwater pollution.

• Save Our Swale Program