My neighborhood lake, pond or canal is full of weeds. Who is supposed clean it out?
A:
Most canals or lakes near homes are managed and maintained by a Homeowners Association, city, county or water control district. Maintenance usually includes aquatic weed and other plant management, debris removal, water level management for your local stormwater management system. You can usually find contact information on your deed or property tax bill.
Only those canals directly associated with the primary flood control system are maintained by the South Florida Water Management District. How to tell? Look for a dark green sign with a smiling, green alligator.
Check out "Know the Flow" - a brochure describing how local/neighborhood, secondary and regional water management systems work, and offering residents tips for checking/maintaining their neighborhood drainage system.
Q:
My neighbor keeps telling me I'm watering my lawn at the wrong times. What are the rules?
Landscape practices were targeted because the average resident in this region uses about 175 gallons of water a day; and from 50-75% or more of that for landscapes! Much of that is wasted because during the rainy season (May-November) most landscapes don't really need extra water. More on Saving Water in Your Landscape
In addition to conserving water, there are a number of other ways that every one of us can help to save the Everglades and other natural systems that make our south Florida region so special.
Northern Everglades
