Water Management in Century Village

More than a view from the shoreline

Century Village’s water bodies are part of a connected drainage and irrigation system. The supplied Water Management Agreement describes interior lakes and canals connected to the South Canal, with drainage passing through an outfall dam and an approximately 500-foot canal toward a culvert crossing Okeechobee Boulevard. It then connects to Lake Worth Drainage District canal systems.

That description explains why a problem at an outlet or connected canal can matter beyond the nearest building. Local drainage, water levels, irrigation needs, and regional flood control must be considered together.

The agreement recorded in 2000

The attached document is a Water Management Agreement between W.P.R.F., Inc. and the United Civic Organization, Inc. (UCO). Its signature provision dates the agreement November 30, 1999. A notice dated September 13, 2000 was recorded September 25, 2000.

Recorded reference: Palm Beach County Official Records Book 12034, pages 1910–1917, instrument 00-365753.

The agreement refers to the Millennium UCO Amendment to the Long Term Lease and the November 30, 1999 Operating Agreement. Its background describes a deteriorated dam and uncertainty over responsibility for the South Canal because of multiple ownership interests.

How the agreement divides responsibilities

The agreement’s assignment of policy decisions does not replace regulatory requirements. Its dam provisions expressly refer to the South Florida Water Management District and Lake Worth Drainage District.

What land is covered?

• Exhibit A: Identifies interior lakes and canals through recorded plat and property references.
• Exhibit B: Describes the South Canal as approximately 60 feet wide and 3,450 feet long, extending along the southern boundary from Windsor A toward Bedford G.
• Exhibit C: Identifies the dam and downstream canal through a lot and property-control reference.

Use the legal descriptions, recorded surveys, and current deeds to resolve a specific location or ownership question. A nearby association should not assume that proximity makes a canal its property.

What does it say about costs and duration?

For the original rebuilding project, WPRF’s stated contribution was up to $100,000. Paragraph 5 describes WPRF funding excess costs as a loan repayable through the Recreation Leases Operating Budget under the referenced Operating Agreement. If project costs were lower, surplus funds were to be placed into appropriate operating accounts at UCO’s discretion.

These are historical project terms. The $100,000 amount is not a current repair estimate, an association assessment, or a permanent cap on future water-management expenses. The agreement also contains project deadlines dating from 1999–2000 and an initial five-year renovation period; those should not be presented as new deadlines today.

Paragraph 9 ties expiration to the referenced Recreation Leases. Paragraph 10 requires modifications or amendments to be in writing and executed by both parties. Current obligations should be reviewed alongside the leases, Operating Agreement, later amendments, permits, and property transfers.

Local drainage connects to regional flood control

Lake Worth Drainage District describes flood control as a shared, interconnected system: neighborhood drainage feeds secondary canals, which connect to the regional system managed by the South Florida Water Management District. Responsibility for a particular structure depends on ownership, permits, and governing arrangements.

LWDD recommends inspecting drainage infrastructure and completing repairs before storm season. For Century Village, the practical starting point is to identify which organization is responsible for the affected component and coordinate the inspection or repair with it.

What association boards should do

1. Keep the relevant records. Obtain the agreement, referenced lease and operating documents, current amendments, and applicable maintenance information.
2. Identify local components. Know which drains, swales, culverts, pumps, and shoreline areas affect your building and who maintains each one.
3. Coordinate through the property manager. Assign inspection, reporting, and follow-up tasks under the management contract.
4. Document concerns. Record the location, dates, photographs taken safely, and whether the condition is recurring or worsening.
5. Confirm authority before work. Get appropriate owner/operator consent and professional guidance before altering banks, drainage paths, water-control structures, or irrigation connections.
6. Plan for storms. Keep contacts current and communicate how residents should report flooding or infrastructure damage.

For current cost allocation or a disputed obligation, ask the association’s attorney to review the actual documents. For drainage design or repair, use an appropriately qualified professional.

Good records support good maintenance.

Reporting a water-management concern

For a nonemergency issue within Century Village, contact your association or property manager and UCO with the location and a concise description. Ask which organization should investigate and obtain a reference or follow-up contact.

UCO: 561-683-9189 · admin@unitedcivic.org
Current UCO contact information

LWDD’s official website provides its service-request and permit resources. Contact the district about concerns involving its system. For immediate danger, call 911. Keep away from flooded roads, unstable banks, and moving water; residents should not attempt to operate control structures.

Sources & related resources

Primary source: The supplied eight-page Water Management Agreement, recorded in Official Records Book 12034, pages 1910–1917. References above identify its numbered provisions and exhibits.

Search Palm Beach County Official Records using the book/page or instrument reference; obtain certified copies if needed.

LWDD flood-control information · LWDD drainage maintenance guidance

Prepared October 17, 2026. Educational overview for Century Village West Palm Beach; historical agreement terms are distinguished from current conditions and obligations.

Build a current drainage responsibility register

Board Synergy recommended practice For each drain, swale, culvert, shoreline, pump, or water-control structure affecting the association, record its location, owner or operator, governing agreement or permit, routine inspection contact, emergency reporting route, and last follow-up. Leave disputed assignments marked for verification.

1. Locate the component. Use surveys, permit plans, and legal descriptions. A community illustration cannot establish a boundary or easement.
2. Check the current record. Obtain relevant later amendments, deeds, approvals, and maintenance arrangements; do not assume a historical transfer condition was fulfilled.
3. Inspect within the proper scope. Ask the responsible operator for findings and planned action. Do not direct volunteers to clear moving water, operate gates, or enter unstable banks.
4. Retain completion evidence. Keep dated observations, work orders, professional reports, and confirmation that the condition was checked after work.

Contractual duty The 1999–2000 agreement describes specific allocations and conditions. Governing-document requirement An association’s own maintenance duties also require review of its declaration and applicable records. This checklist does not reassign either party’s duties.

Connected Board Synergy guides

• Shoreline restoration and maintenance
• Reclaimed water notice
• Hurricane preparedness guides
• Water damage
• Common limited common elements
• Who manages what?

Board Synergy provides independent educational guidance. Confirm current operator instructions and controlling documents for a specific action.