The City of Palm Coast is proud to announce that September 23-27, 2024, has been officially proclaimed as Stormwater Awareness Week. The proclamation was read during the City Council meeting on September 17, marking the city’s commitment to raising awareness about the importance of stormwater management and its impact on our water supply.
Since 2011, the last week of September has been recognized as Stormwater Awareness Week across the country, with municipalities joining together to educate residents about stormwater operations and their crucial role in environmental preservation, restoration, and protection.
In support of this national initiative, the City of Palm Coast will launch a social media campaign to promote education about the city’s stormwater system and raise awareness about how residents’ actions impact local water quality. The campaign will highlight simple ways residents can help maintain the integrity of the stormwater system, such as proper disposal of yard waste, avoiding pollutants in swales, and the importance of stormwater infrastructure in flood prevention and environmental health.
Additionally, the city will host a social media trivia contest on its Facebook and Instagram pages, where residents can participate by answering a stormwater-related trivia question. Residents who provide the correct answer will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a prize, making learning about stormwater both fun and rewarding.
“The stormwater system is the lifeblood of our community’s infrastructure,” said Lynn Stevens, Deputy Director of Stormwater and Engineering. “Our employees work tirelessly to maintain over 1,200 miles of swales, canals, and drainage systems, ensuring our environment is protected and our residents’ quality of life is preserved. I want to sincerely thank the dedicated men and women of the Stormwater and Engineering Department for their relentless efforts.”
The City of Palm Coast recognizes the need to enhance its stormwater system. In June 2024, the Stormwater and Engineering Department launched a pilot program to improve swale maintenance throughout the community. This initiative targets specific problem areas by selectively regrading and resodding high spots in swales, offering solutions without requiring complete overhauls. This innovative approach is one of the many ways the city is committed to maintaining and improving essential infrastructure.
As Stormwater Awareness Week approaches, the City of Palm Coast invites residents to learn how to contribute to stormwater preservation efforts. By staying informed and involved, we can ensure a sustainable future for our community and the environment.
For more information on Stormwater Awareness Week or the city’s ongoing stormwater initiatives, please visit palmcoast.gov/stormwater/stormwater-101.