District engineer and Premier Lakes report on stormwater, lake maintenance after Tropical Storm Debbie

District contractors and the district engineer briefed the Board on lake maintenance and stormwater performance following Tropical Storm Debbie.

Bill Kurth of Premier Lakes said the lakes “appear to be in very good shape,” that preserves and dry-retention work are underway, and that crews removed fallen trees from the FPL ditch and outfall structure ahead of an expected tropical storm. He said repairs to the Lake H1-B nano-bubbler — which lost prime after being turned off — would be completed the next day, and that Premier had increased service from quarterly to monthly during the rainy season. Mr. Kurth and Operations Manager Shane Willis will present electrical proposals for relocating a compressor in the Masters Lake.

District Engineer Charlie Krebs reported MRI’s Pinehurst valley gutter inlet grate replacement project is about 80% complete and will require scheduling an asphalt patch. He told the Board that parts of the community received almost 8 inches of rain over two or three days during Tropical Storm Debbie while the roads are designed for 5½ inches in 24 hours; the stormwater system reached capacity but flowed and did not back up in the system he inspected. Mr. Krebs suggested adding a drainage connection to Lake E1-A to bypass pipes and inlets and direct excess water into the lake to reduce roadway stress.

A resident reported standing water under a slab and mold concerns; Mr. Krebs said he does not believe standing water is the cause because other units did not report similar issues. The Board asked Mr. Long to comment on the resident’s concern and to include the matter on the next agenda for further review. Lee County Utilities was identified as responsible for some water-line repairs, and staff will confirm whether there was any damage to roadways or curbs from recent work.