Homeowners associations are generally responsible for maintaining the common areas. However, essential services such as water and drainage can be trickier to figure out as they touch common areas and separate interests. Is the HOA responsible for water drainage or are community members responsible for maintenance?
Is the HOA Responsible for Water Drainage?
Water drainage is an important part of any community. Proper drainage can help prevent flooding and protect properties during a bad storm. However, who’s responsible for HOA water drainage issues in planned communities is not always clear. Is the HOA responsible for water drainage, or does it fall onto the shoulders of community members?
The HOA’s responsibility for water drainage is complicated. Most homeowners associations may be responsible for HOA storm water drainage if considered part of the common elements. The community’s governing documents may also have provisions outlining the HOA’s responsibility regarding drainage and sewer lines. If an HOA is held responsible for drainage, the board may need to stay on top of the following maintenance activities:
- Common Area and Easement Inspection. HOAs must periodically inspect and maintain the common areas and easements to check for drainage obstructions and potential damage.
- Obstruction and Debris Removal. HOAs must clear drainage systems and catch basins of debris and obstructions to ensure unrestricted water flow.
- Drainage Slopes. HOAs should ensure that open areas have drainage slopes to prevent flooding and water pooling.
- Soil Restoration. HOAs should take care of erosion and other issues with the soil to maintain the stormwater drainage system.
- Concrete Repair. HOAs should repair damaged, cracked concrete that may adversely affect the drainage system.
Common HOA Drainage Issues
Maintaining a drainage system is far from easy. The HOA board must look for even the smallest issues. After all, leaving them alone can result in bigger stormwater drainage problems down the line. Here are some common causes of HOA bad water drainage.
1. Obstructed Basins
Catch basins, drop-inlet basins, and retention basins all work to prevent flooding and water pooling. However, when there are obstructions within these structures, it could lead to inefficiency and drainage issues. HOAs should always inspect these basins as part of their HOA water drainage maintenance activities. The board should ensure the basins are free from fallen leaves, garbage, and other debris.
2. Improper Sloping
Driveways and roads should always slope toward drainage systems. Without proper sloping, the water could pool in places you don’t want it to, leading to ponding and even flooding when there’s heavy rainfall. Unfortunately, this design issue should have been addressed by the developer when they first built the neighborhood. If the developer is out of the picture, the HOA should address the issue by hiring a contractor to re-pave the roads.
3. Poor Grading
Landscaped and grassy areas should have proper grading for efficient stormwater drainage. Otherwise, the community’s common areas may experience significant flooding during a typhoon. If your community doesn’t already have them, consider implementing low channels with plans that aren’t erosion-prone.
Implementing grassed swales in the area may also be a good idea. Make sure to grade low-lying areas that are more prone to flooding properly. The HOA may also consider mulching the landscaped beds to promote proper drainage.
4. Lack of Maintenance
Even if a drainage system is properly designed, the community’s stormwater management system might still suffer without proper maintenance. Homeowners associations should conduct regular inspections to identify potential problems with the drainage system. There may be unseen obstructions or hidden damages to the pipelines and drains.
In addition, the HOA board should have a copy of the CC&R’s maintenance guidelines and the municipality’s water drainage guidelines to ensure compliance. Local regulations regarding inspection frequency, reporting, and drainage maintenance should be adhered to. Remember also to consult drainage engineers to ensure all stormwater systems are efficient and effective.
Why Does Proper Drainage Matter?
Poor or improper drainage can significantly impact the neighborhood and properties within the HOA. More specifically, inadequate drainage can lead to the following:
- Flooding. Poor drainage can cause ponding and, eventually, flooding within a community. This can damage the roads, green spaces, common areas, and resident homes.
- Erosion. When there is excess water, the soil within the community might erode, which can compromise the structural integrity of roads, driveways, sidewalks, and other HOA infrastructure.
- Water Quality Problems. Poorly managed runoff can introduce contaminants and pollutants like trash, oil, and sediment into the water. As a result, local water resources might suffer in quality, affecting everyone in the neighborhood and surrounding areas.
- Reduced Aesthetic Appeal. Poor drainage can result in ponding and standing water — both of which can impact the neighborhood’s aesthetic appeal and, in turn, property values.
- Health and Safety Issues. Standing water and flooding invite pests such as mosquitoes and other insects. These can pose a health and safety risk to all the residents in the neighborhood.
Homeowners may be primarily concerned with the drainage in and around their homes. After all, people will naturally prioritize their private properties to protect their investments. However, homeowners and board members should be more mindful of the drainage system around the community. This is because improper drainage can lead to stormwater runoff that may eventually harm the foundations of the residents’ homes.
In addition, improper drainage can lead to erosion, flooding, and pollution that can damage the neighborhood’s common areas. This not only affects property values but can also damage people’s properties and affect how they access their homes. It’s a problem that affects everyone so it’s important to work together to solve these issues before they become a major headache.
Stay on Top of Drainage Maintenance
Is the HOA responsible for water drainage? For the most part, they might be. Homeowners associations should stay alert and consistently inspect the community’s drainage systems to ensure no water damage to the HOA’s common areas and the residents’ homes. It’s important to hire a professional cleaning and maintenance contractor to help with this task periodically.
Elite Management Services provides high-quality management services to planned communities. Call us now at (855) 238-8488 or contact us online to request a proposal!
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