Stormwater

The City of Fernandina Beach desires to reduce the adverse effects of stormwater runoff and improve the quality of the groundwater, streams, rivers, and estuaries in and around the City. By providing a stable source of funding for construction, operation, and maintenance of stormwater collection, retention, and detention systems, the City can accomplish the goals of reducing these adverse impacts.

A Stormwater Master Plan including the cost for each project has been developed for the City of Fernandina Beach to reduce or eliminate flooding. The proposed costs to make the necessary repairs for each project are estimated at $18M. Funding is being generated by assessing and collecting stormwater utility fees on all developed property within the municipal boundaries of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

City of Fernandina Beach Stormwater Management Program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires operators of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems to develop and implement a Stormwater Management Program to minimize the discharge of contaminates into surface waters. The Separate Storm Sewer is a system of underground pipes and surface drainage that carry rainwater away from roads and parking lots. Ultimately this drainage reaches our rivers and ocean estuaries.

Common pollutants include the following:


  • Automotive fluids that leak from our vehicles onto roads, parking lots and driveways
  • Pesticides used to keep lawns green
  • Sediments from construction sites
  • Household trash and chemicals not properly disposed of
  • Animal waste

Fernandina Beach residents can have an enormous impact on the quality of rivers and streams by:


  • Keeping vehicles maintained
  • Closely following application rates for pesticides and fertilizers
  • Properly disposing of household wastes and recyclables
  • Watching for unusual discharges from storm drainage swales and piping during dry weather conditions

The City of Fernandina Beach Stormwater and Maintenance Departments provides the following:


  • Maintenance and construction of drainage facilities
  • Street sweeping to reduce or eliminate dirt and leaves from entering the drainage system
  • Cleans ditches and culverts and mows the retention ponds
  • Working throughout the City to reduce or eliminate flooding areas

To Learn More


View the Neighborhood Guide to Stormwater Systems to learn more about storm water systems in your neighborhood.

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