PART TWO: HOW VERANDAH IS MANAGING STORMWATER AND WORKING TO PROTECT YOUR HOME
In the October 2025 edition of the Verandah View we reported on the effects of increasing amounts of stormwater. Major stormwater events in the U.S. are occurring more often because of a changing climate, which is fueling heavier rainfall and more intense storms. At the same time, aging infrastructure and ongoing urban development are making flooding impacts worse in many regions.
Why is stormwater management important?
Stormwater management helps to prevent flooding, erosion, and property damage by controlling how rainwater flows through Verandah. It can protect local water quality by filtering out pollutants before they reach the Orange River and groundwater. In essence, effective stormwater systems safeguard public health and protect the environment.
Looking back
When Verandah was created in 2003 the developer received a stormwater permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). This permit was essential to the creation of Verandah and remains a pivotal document today.
The surface drainage from Verandah flows into the Orange River basin. Controlling and managing stormwater runoff to the Orange River was of paramount importance to prove to SFWMD that runoff to the basin as a whole, in a controlled manner, would improve and not be detrimental to others in the basin.
The permit was issued to the Verandah East and West Community Development Districts (CDD). The CDDs own nearly 1,500 acres of land and lakes in Verandah. They are each governed by a Board consisting of Verandah homeowners that are elected by us. Each CDD controls the operation and maintenance of the lakes and lands surrounding these lakes. Rainfall flows into the lakes from catch basins along all of our streets as well as green spaces around the lake perimeters. The water management system is designed to control a certain amount of rainfall.
Preparing for the future
As the rain falls in Verandah it often makes its way to our streets, gutters, and to over 300 catch basins that funnel the water to our lakes. These catch basins are owned by the VCA, seven neighborhoods, the CDDs, and the Verandah Club. Their ages range from 2 to 23 years old.
Over the past few years this infrastructure was inspected by an independent contractor and those with excessive sand, sediment, and debris were cleaned. Stormwater can now run safely to our lakes.
