When rainwater lands on impervious surfaces, which are areas where the water cannot penetrate, such as driveways, rooftops, and parking lots, it creates stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is collected through swales, pipes, gutters, and catch basins and eventually collects and drains to our local waterways. Stormwater runoff can cause flooding which negatively impacts driving conditions on streets and roads, pollute waterways, erode stream banks, and impact aquatic habitats.

Stormwater problems include areas that frequently flood, street flooding, property damage, increasingly sever storm events, impacts of sea level rise, and pollution impacting local waterways.

The City of Hallandale operates and maintains an extensive stormwater utility system comprised of pipes, canals, ditches, lagoons, catch basins, manholes, tide gates, and pump stations. The City is also upgrading major components of the stormwater utility to improve drainage and reduce flooding.

A stormwater utility is an operational and funding mechanism established to provide dedicated funding to manage and maintain the stormwater system. It is similar to other utilities, like water, sewer, or power, where users pay a fee for the services provided. Money collected through the stormwater utility can be used only for stormwater management related expenses.