Residents urge River Ridge CDD to address persistent Pinehurst drainage

Resident Shari Perkins told the River Ridge Community Development District on July 23 that a week after street drains were plugged the drainage issues persist and "water has been overflowing in the triangle monument area," and she asked the board to consider addressing the two drains on the left and right sides of the Pinehurst monument.

District Engineer John Baker explained the inlet was plugged to stop backflow from an adjacent system but that plugging left "no place for the water to go" and created what he described as "a very tiny pond in a pipe." Baker said resolving the remaining flooding will likely require additional study and recommended photographing or recording the flooding to help staff diagnose the problem.

A board member asked whether there was video of water bubbling out of the drain; Perkins said she has a few photographs and will provide video footage to CDD staff. The Board directed the District Engineer to view the drainage firsthand and tasked staff with following up on possible remediation options.

The matter involves a retention pond between River 8 and River 9 that resident Fred Kronke reported to Perkins as appearing non-functional with ponding nearly 1 foot above the drain; Mr. Chuck Adams, the district manager, said the pipes at issue run across private property and the golf course before discharging into the Estero River. No timeline or funding for repairs was specified at the meeting.