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SERVICES PROVIDED
The primary responsibilities of the South Indian River Water Control District (SIRWCD) are surface water management and road maintenance.
The district encompasses 12,500 acres in Jupiter Farms, Egret Landing, Palm Beach Country Estates and the Jupiter Commerce Park. The district was created in 1923 by an act of the Florida Legislature and is one of 995 special districts in the state. As a special district, the landowners pay a proportionate share of the costs for the services they receive from SIRWCD.
ROAD PAVING
So you want to pave a road? The District Board of Supervisors can assist you take a number of steps.
The following is a guide and should only be considered as a guide. For further information, please contact the General Manager at the SIRWCD offices.
Landowners interested in road improvements must make a request in writing and present the request to the Board of Supervisors at a monthly Board meeting. If more than twenty five percent (25%) of the affected landowners (as shown by the written request) want the District to provide road improvements services, then a petition shall be sent to all landowners who would benefit from the service.
If a majority of affected landowners want the road improvements, then all of the landowners benefiting from the road improvement will be assessed on a per parcel basis, unless a per acre basis is requested and approved by the Board. A parcel is defined as land which is not subdivided, under one ownership, and which contains one residence. If land which otherwise meets the requirements has more then one residence, it shall be deemed to constitute as many parcels as there are residences, or equivalent single family residential units, if there are commercial/industrial uses on the property.
The following represents the various types of road improvements available to the landowner:
In order for the District to pave a road using District standards, the landowners shall provide the District with easements to use the road for access.
In order for the District to pave a road using County standards, the landowners must transfer their portion of the road to the District in fee simple by Warranty Deed. At the time the road improvements are completed, the District shall transfer the road to the County in fee simple by warranty Deed for the County's perpetual maintenance of the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding District Road Improvements
(Q): What are the District plans for additional road paving?
(A): There is no District initiative for additional paving. Roadway improvements are limited to those initiated by landowners.
(Q): How do landowners initiate road improvements?
(A): The first step is a petition. If 25% of the affected landowners request that their road(s) be considered for upgrade, the District may initiate an Engineering Road Improvement Study.
(Q): What does the Engineering Study consider?
(A): Many things are evaluated in an Engineering Road Improvement Study. The conditions of the current dirt road, the traffic situation, structural considerations of the roadway base, drainage considerations, cost, impact on the community, and many other issues may be considered in the study.
(Q): How is the Engineering Road Improvement Study used?
(A): The study creates an Engineering Plan that defines the project. It will define the specific road (or roads) recommended for paving and it will define the benefited area (those landowners that will benefit from the improvements). The plan also defines the technical details of the proposed project such as base and sub-base requirements, road surface material specification, roadway elevation, and so forth. And, most importantly, the plan will define the cost.
(Q): Then what happens with the Engineering Plan?
(A): If the Board of Supervisors accepts the Engineer’s Plan, it can be put to the landowners for a vote in the form of a referendum. If the referendum passes, then the District may construct the improvements as defined in the plan and levy a special assessment against the benefited landowners.
(Q): Can the cost of these improvements be financed?
(A): Yes, and the cost per parcel per year would be presented in the referendum.
(Q): What roadway surfacing materials are currently available to landowners and what about other roadway surfacing or stabilization materials?
(A): The District is constantly searching for and evaluating alternative road surfacing materials that can provide an improved surface at an affordable cost. The Open Graded Emulsified Mix (OGEM) material has been evaluated and approved by the District as an alternative to hard-surface asphalt (built to Palm Beach County road standards) at a significant cost savings to the landowners. Other surfacing and stabilization materials are currently being evaluated as alternatives. However, the OGEM material is becoming very popular because it provides a very good, durable surface at significant savings. It is currently being successfully used by Palm Beach County and other counties in the state, as well as this District, at a cost of approximately half that of conventional paving.
(Q): Will the soil stabilization product known as PX-300 be considered as an alternative road surface material for the District?
(A): Based on initial engineering testing, it has been determined that this product is not suitable for use by the District and no further evaluation is warranted.
(Q): How frequently are the unsurfaced roads graded?
(A): A detailed work schedule is available at the District Office. On average, the major roads on the east side are maintained twice a week and on the west side, two or three times per week. Traffic volume, weather conditions, mechanical failure, priority emergencies, or personnel availability may alter the schedule without notice.
(Q): What about "Safe-Zones" or other improvement projects?
(A): As a "Special District" (Water Control District) that is limited to surface water management and road maintenance, SIRWCD would need to determine whether certain projects fall under our jurisdiction. If they do, ”Safe-Zones” or other improvement projects would follow the same process as described for a road improvement program. First, the landowners would need to petition the District. If more than 25% of the affected landowners request the “Safe-Zone” improvement project, an Engineering Plan and cost could be developed, and a referendum could be held.
(Q): What if there is an obstruction in a swale or major canal?
(A): Contact the District Office and report the location and problem as soon as possible.
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ROAD MAINTENANCE
There are over 23 miles of paved roads in the district. In addition there are over 165 miles of unpaved roads to be maintained.
SIRWCD adheres to a regular schedule for the maintenance of the roadways. Due to weather conditions and other factors, additional road work is performed in addition to the regular maintenance schedule. (See Work Schedules)
Palm Beach County contracts with SIRWCD to provide some services, such as the placement and replacement of road signs. Law enforcement is provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department.
A major responsibility of the district is maintaining the approximate 400 miles of swales along roadways. Residents assist the district by maintaining the swales fronting their property.
It is important to keep these swales free of debris so as not to hinder the normal gravity flow following periods of heavy rainfall.
To accomplish the major responsibilities of road maintenance SIRWCD uses several heavy pieces of equipment such as graders and tractors that operate throughout the district.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
As you can see on the Statistics Page, the district has a tremendous responsibility in proper management of storm water run-off. Each year the district receives, on average, 60 inches of rain. It is important to manage the flow of this volume of water through the district's canals for maximum protection and benefit to property owners.
Every effort is made to save the storm water from the district by directing its flow into the natural holding areas, such as the slough, water catchment areas and wetlands.
The drainage system, maintained by SIRWCD, operates by gravity flow. Any storm water, which is not absorbed into the ground, moves eastward through the district in a network of canals.
First the water flows into ponds and swales. This initial drainage is referred to as the "tertiary" system. Once storm water leaves the swales it flows into the district's maintained canals known as the "secondary" drainage system. The final movement of the water is into the "primary" drainage system that consists of larger canals, such as the C-18, and the Loxahatchee River. The primary drainage system is the responsibility of the South Florida Water Management District.
It is important to understand that after heavy periods of rain it is normal for water to remain standing in the swales. This is the way the system is designed to function. Standing water occurs when the ground becomes saturated and cannot absorb any more water.
Even with the heavy amounts of rain, such as occurred in the storm in 1995, the system has functioned well. That storm produced a higher level of rainfall than is normally anticipated in a 100-year storm, which the system was designed to handle.
It is important that residents report any blockage in the canals and to refrain from dumping trash,
agricultural waste, tires, old toys, recreational equipment, appliances and all toxic materials into the canals or on vacant lots. It is illegal and can result in heavy fines.
Maintaining the culverts is a major responsibility of SIRWCD. The district is engaged in a program of upgrading and replacing culverts throughout the district.
SIRWCD maintains over 400 miles of swales and canals in addition to the paved and unpaved roadways.
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