Retention and Detention Basins in Miami, FL

Who This Service Is For

Retention and detention basin services in Miami-Dade County are essential for developers, general contractors, subdivision developers, commercial property owners, and anyone developing properties that require stormwater management systems in Miami-Dade County.

Whether you're developing a new subdivision in Doral, commercial complex in Aventura, or any property requiring stormwater management in Coral Gables, retention and detention basins are often required by regulatory agencies. We coordinate contractors with heavy equipment to design and construct basins that meet Miami-Dade County drainage requirements, DERM regulations, the 25-year, 3-day storm event design criteria, FPLOS/WQLOS standards, and pollutant reduction requirements.

Miami-Dade County Basin Construction Considerations

Retention and detention basin construction in Miami-Dade County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• DERM as Primary Reviewing Authority: DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) plays a central role in Miami-Dade County's stormwater infrastructure oversight. Retention and detention basin construction requires DERM Plan Review Approval for projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24. DERM has authority over stormwater infrastructure maintenance and recertification, with entities owning or operating stormwater infrastructure required to submit recertification documentation by December 31, 2026.
• 25-Year, 3-Day Storm Event Design Criteria: Miami-Dade County requires developers to design stormwater systems for the 25-year, 3-day storm event as a baseline design standard. Retention and detention basins must be sized to handle this design storm, with proper storage volumes and discharge rates to meet both Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) and Water Quality Level of Service (WQLOS) standards.
• FPLOS and WQLOS Standards: Miami-Dade County's stormwater management criteria include two primary components: Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) and Water Quality Level of Service (WQLOS). FPLOS protects public safety and property, while WQLOS maintains water quality in local waterways, particularly Biscayne Bay. Basins must be designed to meet both components.
• Pollutant Reduction Requirements: Florida's stormwater design standards establish specific pollutant reduction requirements. For most stormwater systems, an 80 percent reduction of post-development average annual loading of total phosphorus (TP) and a 45 percent reduction of post-development average annual loading of total nitrogen (TN) from the project area is required. For stormwater systems located within a HUC 12 sub-watershed containing an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) and located upstream of that OFW, the requirements are more stringent: a 90 percent reduction of TP and a 60 percent reduction of TN.
• On-Site Retention with Groundwater Recharge: Miami-Dade County's approach emphasizes on-site retention with groundwater recharge, rather than detention and controlled discharge. Retention and detention basins should be designed to encourage water infiltration into the aquifer rather than rapid removal from the site, supporting aquifer recharge and reducing stress on the county's stormwater infrastructure.
• Stormwater System Recertification Requirements: Any entity—including community development districts or private property owners' associations—that owns or operates stormwater infrastructure connecting to or draining into public right-of-way drainage infrastructure must maintain certain records and obtain recertification from the DERM Director. By December 31, 2026, such entities must submit to the County documentation demonstrating compliance with these requirements.
• High Water Table: Miami-Dade's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects basin excavation depth and may require dewatering systems (DERM Class V Permits). Water table conditions determine basin design and may affect retention basin water levels, especially in areas like Miami Beach, Aventura, and coastal neighborhoods.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Basin construction typically requires SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance and stormwater management. Most complete ERP applications take 60-90 days to process, though projects located in sensitive basins may require longer review periods. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits.
• Training and Inspection Requirements: As of 2025, training requirements for stormwater management personnel include field inspections of both publicly and privately owned stormwater structural controls, such as stormwater retention and detention ponds. Basin owners must ensure proper maintenance and inspection compliance.

The Basin Construction Process in Miami-Dade County

Our coordinated approach ensures your retention or detention basin is constructed properly and meets all Miami-Dade County regulatory requirements:

1. Engineering Design: We coordinate with engineers to design retention and detention basins that meet Miami-Dade County drainage requirements, the 25-year, 3-day storm event design criteria, and regulatory standards including FPLOS and WQLOS. Design determines basin dimensions, depths, storage volumes, and overflow structures, with consideration of pollutant reduction requirements (80% TP, 45% TN, or 90% TP, 60% TN for OFW areas) and priority on on-site retention and groundwater recharge.
2. Miami-Dade Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including DERM Plan Review Approval (for projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24), SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance and stormwater management (60-90 day processing time), RER building permits, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. Permits ensure compliance with stormwater management requirements.
3. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (excavators, bulldozers, compactors) and experience for basin excavation and construction in Miami-Dade County, including expertise with high water table conditions, DERM requirements, and FPLOS/WQLOS standards.
4. Basin Excavation: Contractors perform excavation to exact depths and dimensions, creating proper storage volumes, with proper dewatering systems where required due to Miami-Dade's high water table (DERM Class V Permits). Excavation establishes basin shape and prepares areas for overflow structure installation, meeting county requirements.
5. Slope Construction: Basin banks are graded to proper slopes (typically 3:1 or 4:1) to ensure stability and prevent erosion, meeting Miami-Dade County requirements. Slope construction meets engineering specifications and regulatory requirements.
6. Overflow Structure Installation: Overflow structures including weirs, risers, and outfall pipes are installed to control water levels and discharge rates, sized for the 25-year, 3-day storm event and meeting FPLOS/WQLOS standards. Structures ensure proper stormwater management and prevent basin overflow, with priority on on-site retention and groundwater recharge.
7. Erosion Control and Final Inspection: Erosion control measures are installed, and final inspections with DERM, SFWMD, and Miami-Dade RER or municipal building departments ensure basins meet regulatory requirements including FPLOS and WQLOS standards. Basins are ready for operation after final approval, with ongoing recertification requirements by December 31, 2026.

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