People and Ponds: How Can Homeowners Better Understand and Manage Stormwater Ponds?

Stormwater ponds are integral to Florida’s landscape, with thousands in residential communities. Excess nutrients, urbanization, shoreline erosion, poor maintenance, and climate changes all add stress and can threaten ponds' key functions in reducing flooding and improving water quality. Despite challenges, stormwater ponds remain crucial for communities. Pond function depends on good management decisions by homeowners and HOA boards. This publication is one of a series on Florida stormwater pond management designed to assist Extension educators in identifying knowledge gaps among homeowners about stormwater ponds. We learned what homeowners in HOA communities know about sustainable pond management and landscaping, examining their understanding of major pond functions, low-maintenance buffer zone requirements, appropriate plant selection, and whether serving on an HOA board influences knowledge levels.