About Us

The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District - known as LGWCD - provides surface water management and road maintenance services for the Loxahatchee Groves community and a portion of Royal Palm Beach.

This is an area of 12.5 square miles with 29 miles of unpaved roads and 30 miles of canals.

There are more than 1,200 homes in the District with a population of approximately 3,500. There are also churches, a shopping center, school, commercial centers, and recreation areas.

LGWCD was founded in 1917 and is one of the oldest government entities in Palm Beach County. Special districts are unique forms of government providing services not normally furnished by other governments. These services are not duplicated. For example, the District does not have fire protection or police powers. The Town of Loxahatchee Groves contracts with the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Department and Sheriff’s Office to provide these services.

Surface Water Management

In surface water management, the District’s main responsibilities are the maintenance of secondary and primary drainage systems within our service area boundries. The regional surface water management system is operated by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). SFWMD does not get involved with the day to day operations of LGWCD. However, they do have permitting authority over outfall sites, allowable discharge rate, water use, and water quality.

The District builds, operates, and maintains canals and water control structures. In Loxahatchee Groves, seven north-south canals drain to the south into the C-51 Canal that flows west to the SFWMD’s Stormwater Treatment Areas and east to the Intracoastal Waterway.

The District is continually working to keep canals clean of refuse and regularly sprays to control aquatic weeds.

Local Governments

The District interfaces with more than 30 local, county, state, and federal agencies ranging from the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Board of Supervisors

The District is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors who serve three-year terms. Reporting to the Board is a general staff made up of the District Administrator, Engineer, and Attorney.

Daily Operations

The District Administrator and office staff run the daily operations with a crew of six maintaining the roads and canals with graders, backhoes, and other heavy equipment.

Board Meetings

The Board meets regularly on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the District headquarters. It is located at 101 West “D” Road between “B” Road and “F” Road in Loxahatchee Groves. All meetings are open to the public. Landowners’ comments are welcomed, and agendas are available at the District headquarters.

Annual Reports

The District Engineer and Attorney produce annual reports which are presented at the yearly Landowners’ Meeting in June. The reports detail the activities of the District during the past year and are available at the District headquarters for review. Appointments are recommended.

Road Paving and Stabilization

Petitions are used by landowners requesting their road to be improved either by paved or stabilizing with open grade emulsion. A majority of landowners must sign a petition requesting the specific road be paved or stabilized. The District prepares an engineering plan for construction including cost estimates. A referendum is then held with landowners voting for or against the improvement. If the road improvement is approved, landowners will be assessed their proportionate share of the paving or stabilization costs.

Voting

The District was formed by an act of the State Legislature. The act has provisions for review and changes. Supervisors are elected by a vote of the landowners.