Around 100 miles of canals running through Palm Bay make up the city's stormwater removal system, but many of the system's pipes are rusting, and the canals themselves are decaying.

  • Palm Bay has $40 million in unfunded stormwater projects
  • Many pipes are rusting, canals decaying
  • Outdated pipes can collapse, taking roads with them 
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The cost to fix those pipes is in the millions -- and to take care of it, the city may need to double annual stormwater fees.

"I don't know if it would necessarily flood right here, but the issue is that part of the road right there is caving in,” longtime Palm Bay resident Angie Drake explained. “It looks like if it rains a lot, it may just be a landslide.” 

Drake lives along one of the stormwater canals along Ellington Avenue. It’s just one of dozens of places the city says need repairs. 

Another spot, Nevada Road off of Emerson, has even been closed down since last June. The road partially collapsed due to old and decaying pipes. 

"The maximum recommended lifespan for these pipes is around 25 years," said Greg Stone, stormwater utility manager. "These were installed 40 to 50 years ago. So they are failing and when they fail, the roads fall in on them. So at this point we've had no option other than to close them or take money from somewhere else to repair them.”

At this time the city says there is more than $40 million in unfunded stormwater projects and that may mean higher storm water fees for residents.

"They need to be fixed because I'm sure they haven't been worked on in a long time. This one by my house is all rusted and not draining properly,” Drake said. 

Currently an average homeowner pays around $54 in stormwater fees per year. The new rate would increase to around $177 per year. 

A final vote on the rate hike takes place July 6 at Palm Bay City Hall. This meeting is open for public comment and questions.