Surface Water Management Recertification

Broward County Surface Water Management Recertification

Broward County requires properties with surface water management systems to maintain an active Surface Water Management License, with renewals required every 5 years. The recertification process evaluates systems like storm drains, swales, and ponds to prevent flooding and protect wetlands.

Broward County Surface Water Management License Renewals are required for many HOAs, condominium associations, commercial properties, apartment complexes, and private developments throughout Broward County. Proper operation and maintenance of stormwater and drainage systems are critical for maintaining compliance with Broward County regulations and protecting both your property and the surrounding environment.

Broward County’s Water Resource Division, through its Surface Water Management Program, is responsible for overseeing and licensing the construction, modification, and maintenance of surface water management systems. These systems must comply with the Broward County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27, Article V, and Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes, which set forth the legal framework for stormwater management and environmental protection. By enforcing these regulations, Broward County aims to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and ensure the responsible stewardship of the region’s surface water resources.

Here at Arpin Associates, LLC, we offer mandated catch basin or storm water drain inspections for Broward County.

To effectively control flooding and minimize pollution, surface water management systems may include a variety of engineered drainage solutions, such as:

Storm drains – Underground piping systems that collect and transport stormwater away from streets and properties.
Street gutters – Channels along roads that direct surface runoff into storm drains.
Weirs – Structures that control water flow and regulate water levels in drainage systems.
Sluice gates – Adjustable gates used to manage the flow of water in canals, reservoirs, and other water bodies.
Dams – Barriers that help regulate water levels and prevent uncontrolled flooding.
Pumps – Mechanical devices that move stormwater from low-lying areas to higher drainage points.
Swales – Shallow, vegetated channels that allow stormwater to infiltrate the ground and reduce runoff.
French drains – Subsurface drainage systems that help redirect excess groundwater and surface water.
Culverts – Enclosed pipes or tunnels that allow water to pass under roads, railways, or embankments.
Drainage wells – Vertical shafts that collect and disperse excess water into subsurface layers.
Dry retention areas – Depressions designed to temporarily store stormwater and allow it to infiltrate the ground.
Storm runoff treatment lakes or wetlands – Natural or engineered water bodies that help filter out pollutants and improve water quality.

The catch basin aka storm drain is located usually in the pavement, with an iron grate, in a portion of a site or in a ponding area of the green area. The catch basin storm drains may also discharge into a water way under the old code. Broward does not make the catch basin storm drain empty to a ponding area and then over flow to a waterway, if installed under the old code. The new code for catch basin storm drains, where the catch basin cannot empty directly to a water way, the storm drain needs a pond area that overflows to the water way or it is a retention pond with no outflow. The pond will capture the debris/silt/oil products.

Don Arpin has inspected all types of surface water management systems since 2012. Don is the only one that inspects these storm drains. They can be found full of debris and tree limbs that block discharge. If so, there are storm drain companies that will clean the debris with their vacuum truck. The cleaning solution may or may not be needed depending on the amount of debris. The basin or drain has a holding area below the discharge level of the pipe system for settlement,this is where the sand/oil debris/vegitation collects and has to be removed periodically by the vacuum truck.

A community can prevent debris by not having tree growth over pavement and lawn companies not clearing cuttiings into the storm drain catch basin system.

The inspection can be digitally uploaded to speed up the process by the owner, as a fee is submitted on line. We can supply forms as necessary.

The 5-Year Recertification Process

An on-site inspection is performed by a professional engineer or qualified stormwater inspector.
An inspection report will be prepared by a professional engineer. This report will include a description of the existing drainage system, summary of field data collected during on-site inspection, site photos, recommendations, and an operation and maintenance instruction specific to the site.
System must be cleaned and/or repaired per the recommendations on the inspection report.
The property owner will notify the engineer when the recommendations on the inspection report have been addressed.
A final on-site inspection is performed by a professional engineer.
The professional engineer will prepare a certification letter, stating that the existing surface water management system is in substantial compliance with the approved license/permit document.
Submit the certification package received from the professional engineer to the local drainage district.
Upon certification of the drainage system, the local water management district will issue a license document stating that the system has been certified and stating the date when the next Five (5) license renewal is due.

Note: Depending on your specific location in the county, your property may fall under an independent district such as the South Broward Drainage District (SBDD) or the Central Broward Water Control District. These local districts manage their own recertification forms and processes. We can check your location to see which district you are in.

Drainage Certification Agencies

South Broward Drainage District 5 Year Operation & Maintenance Drainage Certification
City of Weston 5 Yr Drainage Certification
Old Plantation Water Control District 5 Yr Permit Renewal
Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management 5 Year Drainage Certification
Coral Springs Improvement District 5 Year Operation & Maintenance Drainage Certification
Tindall Hammock Drainage District 5 Yr Permit Renewal
Central Broward Water Control District 5 Year Operation & Maintenance Drainage Certification
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Operation and Maintenance Inspection Certification

Links for more information:

Call Don at 954.214.3899 10:45 to 6 PM Eastern Time

Usually we can expedeite the inspection to a 3 day turn around, some have been done same day.

Don’s mobile is on 10:45 to appx 6 pm 6 days. Please leave a message NOT a text as they quickly add up.

Or call the office @ 954-772-8345 which is open from approximately 1pm to 5.30 as we are in the field most of the time inspecting balconies and concrete restoration projects that we Design/Build as Engineers and State Cert. General Contractors since 1980.