Implementation strategy | Where is can be applied | Benefits | Cost | Barriers to implementation | Point when action may need to be abandoned |
Exfiltration trenches | Any low lying area where stormwater collects, and the water table is more than 3 ft below the surface; densely developed areas where retention is not available, roadways | Excess water drains to aquifer, some treatment provided | $250/ft | Significant damage to roadways for installation, maintenance needed, clogging issues reduce benefits | If groundwater table is above exfiltration piping, the exfiltration efficiency diminishes quickly |
Install stormwater pumping stations in low lying areas to reduce storm water flooding (requires studies to identify appropriate areas, sites and priority levels) | Any low lying area where stormwater collects, and there is a place to pump the excess stormwater to such as a canal or the intracoastal waterway; common for developed areas | Removes water from streets, reduces floodi3g | Start at $1.5 to 5 million each, number unclear without more study | NPDES permits, maintenance cost, land acquisition, discharge quality | When full area served is inundated (>3 - 5 ft SLR) |
Added dry retention | Common for new development, but difficult to retrofit; developer resist because it consumes land they could otherwise develop; limited undeveloped areas in the City | Removes water from streets, reduces flooding | $200 K/ac | Land availability, maintenance of pond, discharge location | When full area served is inundated |
Armoring the sewer system (G7 program) | Any area where gravity sanitary sewers are installed, which is most of the City | Keeps stormwater out of sanitary sewer system and reduces potential for disease spread from sewage overflows. Major public health solution | $500/manhole | limited expense beyond capital cost | none |
Central sewer installation in OSTDS areas | All areas where there are septic tanks. This includes little of the City. | Public health benefit of reducing discharges to lawns, canals and groundwater from septic tanks | $15,000 per household | Cost, assessments against property owners | none |
Raise roadways | Limited to areas where redevelopment is occurring area-wide due to ancillary impacts on adjacent properties | Keeps traffic above floodwaters | $2 - 4 million/lane mile | Runoff, cost, utility relocation | When full area served is inundated |
Class V gravity wells | Any low lying areas where stormwater collects and is located where saltwater has intruded the surficial aquifer beneath the site (generally east of Dixie Highway) | Means to drain neighborhoods | $250 K ea. | Needs baffle box, limited flow volume (1 MGD) | When full area served is inundated |