The Stormwater Division provides maintenance and construction of drainage facilities throughout the city. Street sweeping is included in this department to ensure the reduction or elimination of dirt or leaves that enter the drainage system. Leaves and grass create organics that create algae blooms in our lakes, are not aesthetically pleasing to view, and are bad for aquatic life.  

Drainage facilities are artificial structures designed to collect, divert or discharge stormwater, such as ditches, culverts, and retention ponds. This Division routinely cleans the ditches and culverts and mows the retention ponds to ensure that the city's stormwater management functions appropriately. In addition, the department is working throughout the City to reduce or eliminate flooding areas. 

A swale is a linear retention system. It is either a constructed or natural area shaped to allow water to be quickly absorbed into the ground or to enable the water to flow to other water bodies. As in a shallow ditch, a swale promotes water absorption through soils. Swales hold water during and immediately after a storm but are generally dry.

Detention systems (ponds) are the most recognizable stormwater system. They are designed to allow material to settle and be absorbed. After a storm, water slowly drains from the pond through a pipe in the "outflow" structure. Part of the pond, known as the permanent pool, is always below the level of the drain structure. Constructed detention systems (ponds) must have aquatic plants around the perimeter to help filter sediment in stormwater runoff. The owner of the pond should refer to the permit for exact specifications. Because retention and detention systems were designed to imitate natural processes, individuals may have stormwater systems on or near their property without realizing it. What appears to be a natural indentation in the backyard may have been designed as a stormwater swale. What looks like a wild patch of shrubbery may be an essential vegetative buffer around a pond.

Tavares Stormwater Management Program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems operators to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Program to minimize the discharge of contaminates into surface waters. The Separate Storm Sewer is a system of underground pipes and surface drainage that carry rainwater away from roads and parking lots. Ultimately this drainage reaches our lakes and rivers.

Common pollutants include the following:

• automotive fluids that leak from our vehicles onto roads, parking lots, and driveways
• pesticides used to keep lawns green
• sediments from construction sites
• household trash and chemicals not correctly disposed of
• animal waste

Tavares residents can have an enormous impact on the quality of rivers and streams by:

• keeping vehicles maintained
• closely following application rates for pesticides and fertilizers
• properly disposing of household wastes and recyclables
• watching for unusual discharges from storm drainage swales and piping during dry weather conditions