Since the mid-1990s, CFB has played an integral role in the development, design, and monitoring of The Villages® stormwater systems. Our work ensures that the community is not only protected from severe weather events but also benefits from innovative water conservation practices. In 2022, our Wildwood, FL-based team began designing modern Water Conservation Structures (WCS), enhancing flood control and water reuse in newly developed areas. These systems represent our continued dedication to safeguarding The Villages® against increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
The tools and technology used in the design of WCS structures include ICPR (Interconnected Pond Routing), ARCGIS, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. These tools enable us to model and analyze the flow of stormwater accurately, ensuring that each system is capable of withstanding significant storm events. Additionally, we partnered with National Stormwater Trust to calculate and assess water quality impacts, helping ensure compliance with environmental standards while improving overall stormwater performance.
The experienced CFB stormwater team includes Ron Ferris (PE), Tyler Counts (PE), Parker Verkaik (PE), Jake Ledford, Josh Matthews, Ediel Dominguez, and Kyle Mosieur. Their specialized knowledge ensures that every stormwater system we design is forward-thinking and built to last.
In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton delivered a serious test to Central Florida’s stormwater infrastructure. Helene, a Category 4 storm, brought up to 13 inches of rain in some areas, overwhelming drainage systems in many parts of Central Florida. However, The Villages® stormwater management system, designed with robust capacity, managed to minimize flooding and stormwater runoff issues, protecting both residential and commercial areas.
Just weeks later Hurricane Milton hit, making landfall south of Tampa as a major (category 3) hurricane, further challenging the area with additional rain, strong winds, and storm surges. Infrastructure across the region was tested, with significant damage to power grids and roads, but The Villages®’ advanced stormwater system continued to perform remarkably well. The system’s ability to handle these back-to-back storms without major failures highlights the resiliency of our design.
Images courtesy of NASA.
The Villages® stormwater management system is a sophisticated network designed to handle severe storm events, with approval and oversight from the regional water management district, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and FEMA. The system is built to manage a 100-year, 24-hour storm, which in this area amounts to approximately 10 to 10.5 inches of rain over a 24-hour period. This ensures that even during extreme weather events, the system can effectively manage large volumes of water across the entire community.
One of the key features of the design is its ability to address intense rainfall within short timeframes. The system simulates a storm where most of the rain falls within a 1.5-hour window, and the interconnect piping between ponds is engineered to handle extreme flow volumes, ensuring water is efficiently moved across the landscape. Unlike many conventional systems, The Villages® design goes beyond minimum requirements to account for rapid recovery and flexibility like in the instance of back-to-back storm events.
Several design enhancements make The Villages® stormwater system stand out:
To monitor and adjust the system in real time, The Villages® utilizes a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system. This remote monitoring system, much of which is managed by Vikus Water, provides real-time data and operational adjustments to meet the dual demands of flood control and irrigation. During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, CFB team members worked closely with Vikus staff and construction crews before, during, and after the storms to assist with water level management and pond recovery. Their combined efforts ensured that the system remained highly responsive and adaptable, mitigating potential flooding, and maintaining operational efficiency during extreme weather events.
The Villages® stormwater system has garnered significant praise from residents, especially in light of its performance during these recent hurricanes. Many have remarked on the system’s capacity to handle large volumes of water without major disruptions, minimizing flooding, and protecting infrastructure.
One resident shared, “We have the best and one of the most sophisticated drainage system of this sort, in the USA. Anyone who knows anything about drainage will tell you, it’s an engineering masterpiece.”
The design enhancements and proactive measures, such as WCS and SCADA, have made a noticeable difference, and the community has been vocal in recognizing the importance of these investments. You can read more community feedback and discussions about the system’s performance in these online forums.
Talkofthevillages/forum_Villages Water Management
Talkofthevillages/forum_Flooding Drainage
Learn more about our partnership with The Villages® here.
We're excited to announce that our Clearwater office has moved to its new location!