Stormwater

About Stormwater

 

The main function of the Stormwater Section is to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the community through the protection, preservation, and conservation of fragile and finite environmental resources and the management of City infrastructure. We also provide high quality Stormwater Utility Service to the City to maintain drainage systems and improve water quality in Dunedin lakes, streams, and St. Joseph Sound.

 

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Drainage

Drainage Maintenance

Cleaning and regrading drainage ditches and swales within City right-of-ways on an as needed basis. Cleaning and restoration of stormwater facilities (ponds, lakes) within the City right-of-way. Aquatic weed control on City owned ponds, lakes, and ditches 7 times per year. Mowing of City ditches, right-of-way ponds and lakes 4 times per year. Inspection, maintenance, and repair of the City storm drain system. If you are experiencing a drainage problem or have concerns with lakes, creeks, or retention ponds in the City, please contact us at 727-298-3232.

Streets

Street Sweeping

Sweeping of City streets and property is performed 6 - 8 times per year totaling 4,800 - 6,400 miles annually. Streets with heavy leaf litter are swept 5-6 times per year. Sweeping due to spills, accidents, and special events are done on an as needed basis. Sweeping of S.R. 580 and Alt. 19 is performedby FDOT. Belcher Road, County Road One, and Curlew Road are swept by Pinellas County Highway Department.

Discharge

Step 1.What Is Illicit Discharge

An illicit discharge is any material entering a storm drain or natural waterway that is not entirely composed of stormwater (with a few exceptions listed in the City of Dunedin Code of Ordinances pertaining to Stormwater Management.  These exceptions include water from firefighting, landscape irrigation, air conditioning condensation, and a few others).

Step 2.Examples of an illicit discharge include

• grass clippings • vegetative material • sewage • paint • concrete • petroleum products • pet waste

Step 3.Why is preventing an illicit discharge important?

All storm drains in the City of Dunedin lead to natural waterways including lakes, ponds, streams, St. Joseph Sound, and Clearwater Harbor.  Contaminants from an illicit discharge can introduce harmful chemicals and bacteria into Dunedin waterways.      

Harmful chemicals and bacteria can negatively impact our water quality.  This pollution can cause storm drain blockages, fish kills, unwanted algal blooms such as red tide, and beach closures.  

Step 4.Stormwater Compliance in the City of Dunedin

The Stormwater Compliance Ordinance was created with the main goal being to provide education to our residents, businesses, and guests on proper environmental habits for healthy waterways . 

In effect as of July 1, 2021, the Stormwater Compliance Ordinance provides a clearly defined violation matrix for illicit discharges.  The matrix is based on a tiered structure of violators in relation to the extent of a violation.  All funds collected from illicit discharge violations go to the Environmental Enforcement Recovery Fund, which allows for the mitigation of damages, as well as future planning for sea level rise.  The violation matrix can be found below:

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Step 5.What should I do if I see an illicit discharge?

If you believe you have found evidence of an illicit discharge, please contact the City of Dunedin at 727-298-3232.

FAQ

Step 1.stormwater down the drain

Step 2.Let Only Rain Down the Storm Drain!

Step 3.What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the flow of water that results from precipitation which occurs immediately following rainfall. When a rainfall event occurs, several things can happen to the precipitation. Some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater is the rest of the precipitation that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas.

Step 4.Why are grass clippings so bad?

Grass clippings entering waterways can carry excess phosphorus and nitrogen that cause harmful algae blooms. Decomposing vegetative material can also spike fecal coliform levels in water.   

Step 5.How do I properly flush my pool?

Swimming pools must be drained to vegetated land and cannot be discharged directly onto an impervious surface (driveway, sidewalk, etc.) that connects with the stormwater system. A minimum of 5-feet must be between the end of the drain hose and the impervious surface.  A drain hose placed directly on an impervious surface constitutes an illicit discharge.

 

HOA Managed & Privately Owned Ponds

The City of Dunedin performs regular maintenance on the stormwater systems owned and operated by the City. This routine maintenance includes, but is not limited to:

  • Ditch mowing and cleaning
  • Pond cleaning and inspections
  • Aquatic plant management
  • Pipe repair and replacement
  • Pipe cleaning
  • Street sweeping
  • CDS unit quarterly cleaning

However, privately-owned stormwater systems such as those found within many residential communities, condominium communities, and commercial properties are responsible for the regular maintenance of their systems.

When was the last time your Homeowners Association, Condo Association, or joint pond owners maintained your community’s stormwater drainage system?

This question is an important one, since the stormwater ponds and stormwater treatment areas within your community must be kept regularly cleaned of debris and overgrown vegetation in order to function correctly and minimize the possibility of storm flooding in your community.

Many times the current Homeowners Association, Condo Association and Commercial Association Board of Directors may not be aware of this maintenance responsibility, which can lead to overgrown and debris-clogged ponds, inlets and pipes which will back up during heavy rain events and cause localized flooding.

Help be good stewards of your community and learn more about what is required to keep stormwater ponds and drainage systems operating at peak efficiency.

For additional information on how to maintain your community stormwater drainage system, please see the below document from the Southwest Florida Water Management District:

Studies & Reports
The City of Dunedin Stormwater Master Plan Update

The City of Dunedin Stormwater Master Plan Update was completed in 2020 as an update to the Master Drainage Plan of 2003.  The Stormwater Master Plan Update is the first of its kind to encompass not only a watershed model and BMP analysis, but also includes a Vulnerability Assessment, Downtown Regional Plan, CRS recommendations, and an environmental assessment.  The final report is linked below:

Contact

Stormwater Program
727-298-3232

Public Services
1405 County Road 1
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Restrictions

Pinellas County’s rainy season fertilizer restrictions will take effect Thursday, June 1, and will last through Sept. 30.

  • Lawn, landscape fertilizers with nitrogen and/or phosphorus may not be sold or used through Sept. 30.
  • Phosphorus may not be used any time of year unless a soil test confirms the need.
  • Keep fertilizer 10 feet away from the top of the bank of any surface water, landward edge of a seawall, or a designated wetland.
  • Fertilizer runoff can pollute waterways and cause harmful algae blooms.

Related Information

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