Stormwater Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Stormwater utility fee?
The stormwater utility fee is used for construction, maintenance, and operation of stormwater treatment and flood prevention projects throughout the City of Daytona Beach service area.
How is the Stormwater fee calculated?
The City of Daytona Beach currently (FY 2010/2011) charges $7.04 per month stormwater fee for each residential unit and is reflected on the monthly utility bill of City residents. Business accounts are based on square footage of impervious surface (buildings, parking lots, etc). Every 1,661 square feet is equivalent to one residential fee. This fee increases yearly with the United States Utility Consumer Price Index (CPI).
There aren’t any stormdrains or canals anywhere near my property. Do I have to pay this fee?
Anyone who owns developed property in the City limits pays a stormwater fee. This includes all State, County, City, and school facilities as well as churches. There are no exemptions.
How often are storm inlets cleaned?
Storm inlets are cleaned on a periodic basis across the community as conditions and seasons dictate. They are also cleaned on a per-call basis when backups or problems are reported by our residents.
It rained recently and I notice some standing water. Should I be concerned?
If after a heavy rain, you notice water in your neighborhood which does not completely drain after 72 hours, you should contact our 24 hour dispatch at 386.671.8815. The Stormwater Division is then notified and will conduct an inspection of the stormwater inlets and lines in the area.
What can I do to help prevent flooding in my area?
Do not throw or dump anything into storm sewers or ditches within the City. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug pipes, inlets, and conveyance channels. A plugged conveyance system will not carry water and when it rains, clogged storm drains will cause water to back up into the street and may cause structure flooding in a large event. Every piece of trash, including cigarette and cigar butts, contributes to localize flooding and pollutes waterways.
Keep stormwater inlets near your property clear of trash and debris. Rake pine needles and leaves away from your street stormwater grate. Don’t stack garbage or yard debris on a storm water inlet. This allows water to flow into the system as it was designed to do. Don’t blow grass clippings or leaves into the street and sweep up any clippings or leaves or blow them back onto your lawn. They can clog up the stormwater system and cause flooding.
If your property is next to a ditch, help keep the banks clear of brush and debris. The City has a Ditch Maintenance Program, which can help remove major blockages such as downed trees.
The City of routinely cleans the 55 small & 81 large ditches within the City limits. While heavy rains, storm water runoff, and illegal dumping can quickly undo the work of cleaning crews, the City attempts to keep all canals free flowing at all times. To report illegal dumping into the City's ditches, call our 24 hour dispatch at 386.671.8815.
What can I do to help prevent flooding around my home?
Make sure the ground slopes away from your home. Land within ten feet of your home should slope away from your house. This ensures your home has a good chance of not being damaged due to localized flooding. Direct gutters away from your home and into landscape areas. If you don’t have gutters consider installing them to alleviate localized yard flooding. If you are in a flood prone area, you may consider purchasing flood insurance. The City of Daytona Beach is not responsible for flooding on private property. For more information please refer to Flood Insurance rate maps or you can call utilities engineering at 671-8807 for a flood zone determination.
If a neighbor has directed drainage onto your property, you should ask the property owner to correct the situation. However, it's important to recognize the prevailing drainage patterns. If you are directly downhill, then your neighbor may not have many options. The best solution may involve working together to direct drainage in a way that minimizes adverse impacts.
If the property owner refuses to correct a situation causing drainage damage on your property, your next course of action could be a civil suit. If you have damages, the property owner may be held responsible. The City does not regulate grading on single-family residential properties unless the area is in a drainage easement.
Ponds, Municipal
The City of Daytona Beach maintains 34 Stormwater ponds citywide. These ponds are located at: the Municipal Stadium (2), Florida Tennis Center, Municipal Golf Course (18), Cypress Park (2), The Daytona Beach Police Dept. on Valor Dr.(2), Lake Ella Bella, Butts Park, Maley St., North St. Pond Park, Third St., Cedar St., and Lagoni Circle (3).
Ponds, Residential and Commercial Subdivisions, Including Condominiums:
Stormwater ponds may be owned by individual lot owners, by Home Owners Associations (HOAs), or by the city or county in which they are located. Ownership can be determined by looking at the recorded plat of the subdivision or condominium. Note that an individual lot survey is drawn from both the recorded plat and actual field measurements and will also show the lot line and any drainage easement within the lot if the lot extends into a pond. The easement may dedicate the pond area to an owners association for maintenance, or to the county or city for maintenance, despite the fact that it is owned by the adjacent lot owners. In other cases, the pond area may not have a drainage easement recorded over it, but is designated as a “common area”, to be owned and maintained by the subdivisions homeowner’s association. In other cases, lot owners may own a pond with no drainage easement, and they may be responsible for its maintenance.
To determine who can or must legally maintain a pond, and what restrictions cover pond maintenance, first check your lot survey to see where your lot lines extend. Then:
1. Check to see if a drainage easement covers the pond
2. Check with the Home Owners Association to see a copy of the recorded plat for easement language, and to see to whom the easement was dedicated for maintenance. If the association does not have a copy of the plat, go to the county records office to see or obtain a copy of the plat.
3. Check the approved construction plans for maintenance instructions. Read the Home Owners Association document.
4. Call Utilities 24 hr. dispatch at 386.671.8815
Ponds, Commercial Sites
In the case of shopping centers and apartment complexes-where the developer or subsequent owner retains ownership and control over the facilities-the pond must be maintained by the owner or the management company designated by the owner. Maintenance must comply with instructions and restrictions found in the St. John River Water Management District permit and approved construction drawings for the project, copies of which are issued to the owner.
Ponds, Treatment
Leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers, and pesticides in ponds can cause poor water quality and algae blooms-possibly resulting in fish kills and loss of habitat. Avoid overuse of fertilizers, especially near the water’s edge. Rain and lawn watering can wash excess fertilizer into water bodies where excess nutrients cause algae blooms (green pond scum) and undesirable weed growth.
If you see spraying occurring at a City-owned pond, it is strictly herbicidal to control vegetation and algae. All herbicides labeled for aquatic use are considered safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Aquatic herbicides used by the City of Daytona meet the most stringent safety standards under federal and state regulations; and, these herbicides permitted for use in water are not restricted-use herbicide, which means they are far less toxic than herbicides used in most agricultural operations or even those pesticides used in the home. Daytona does not spray for pest management or mosquito control. If you have a concern over mosquitoes, or require information on the County’s mosquito spraying program, please contact Volusia County Mosquito Control at 386.239.6516.
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