WEST PALM BEACH, FL (August 13, 2021) – The City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Works reminds residents to help keep storm drains clear to minimize flooding and protect property.
- Keep debris and yard waste away from storm drains to prevent blockages. Large piles of new vegetation trimming might clog storm drains.
- Compost or mulch your yard waste. Do not leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or waterways. Collect grass clippings with a lawnmower bag.
- Cover piles of dirt or mulch being stored for landscaping projects. These can become mobile during rain events and block drains.
- Remove sediment and debris from in and around swales. A properly maintained swale protects your home and your neighbor’s home by helping to prevent flooding and stormwater pollution.
City crews routinely monitor the city’s stormwater system to help prevent or mitigate flooding. The Department of Public Utilities’ Stormwater Drainage Division routinely cleans and inspects over 5,000 storm drains to remedy street flooding and ponding before they occur. Two dozen crew members regularly haul away yard waste and other debris near storm drains. When the forecast calls for extensive periods of rainfall, city crews prioritize areas prone to flooding and clear roadside litter and landscape debris.
For information about the proper disposal of waste and debris during hurricane season, click here.
To contact the Department of Public Works Sanitation Division, call (561) 822-2075 (TTY: 800-955-8771).
