Pond and Stormwater Service in Central Florida
Detention Pond Repair in Orlando, FL
Detention pond failures put downstream properties, site permits, and regulatory standing at risk. Lapin Services restores failing ponds to full structural integrity and SJRWMD compliance — before the next storm event turns a maintenance issue into a flood liability.
65+ years serving Central Florida
Licensed local service team
Fast scheduling and clear communication
Service Overview
Detention Pond Repair Backed by 65+ Years of Local Experience
Detention ponds are engineered to hold and slowly release stormwater — protecting downstream properties from flooding and keeping sites in compliance with St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) permit requirements. When a pond's berms erode, its control structure fails, or its slopes destabilize, the entire system is compromised. The consequences range from downstream flooding and property damage to permit violations, enforcement action, and significant legal exposure.
Lapin Services repairs detention ponds for property managers, HOAs, commercial site owners, and developers throughout Orlando and Central Florida. Our licensed underground utility team handles berm erosion repair, control structure rehabilitation, slope stabilization, and emergency overflow repair — and we coordinate directly with inspectors to restore your SJRWMD compliance status and close out any outstanding notices.
Problems We Solve
Common Detention Pond Repair Problems We Fix
Here are the issues our team commonly finds and resolves during detention pond repair calls across Central Florida.
Berm Erosion and Washout
Repeated storm events and surface runoff gradually erode pond berms — thinning the embankment, creating channels, and eventually threatening structural integrity. Left unrepaired, a compromised berm can breach under load, releasing pond volume uncontrolled onto downstream property.
Control Structure Failure
Riser pipes, weir boxes, and outlet control structures deteriorate from corrosion, root intrusion, concrete spalling, and joint failures. A damaged control structure cannot regulate discharge rates, leading to both under-drainage (flooding) and over-drainage (dry pond, no attenuation) depending on the failure mode.
Slope Instability and Bank Sloughing
Pond side slopes that are too steep, saturated, or lacking adequate vegetative cover lose stability over time — resulting in sloughing, mass soil movement, and shoreline collapse that reduces pond capacity and accelerates further erosion.
Emergency Overflow Structure Damage
Concrete or riprap emergency spillways crack, shift, or deteriorate under the hydraulic forces of major storm events. A damaged spillway cannot safely convey excess volume, increasing the risk of uncontrolled overtopping and catastrophic berm failure during high-intensity rainfall.
Sediment Accumulation and Capacity Loss
Years of sediment deposition reduce a detention pond's storage volume, shortening the time it takes to reach capacity during storm events. When a pond can no longer hold its design volume, attenuation is lost and downstream flooding risk rises — along with the likelihood of a permit compliance deficiency finding.
When to Call
Signs Your Pond Or Stormwater Asset Needs Professional Attention
If you notice any of these warning signs, schedule detention pond repair before the problem becomes more disruptive or expensive.
Visible Rills or Channels on Berm Slopes
Surface erosion channels on berm faces are an early warning that the embankment is losing material. Unchecked rilling accelerates with each rain event and can progress to full washout.
Downstream Flooding That Didn't Occur Before
If adjacent properties or roadways are flooding during storms that previously drained without incident, the detention pond may have lost capacity, attenuation function, or structural integrity — and is no longer performing as designed.
Pond Draining Too Quickly or Not Draining at All
A pond that empties in hours instead of days has a control structure or outlet problem allowing uncontrolled discharge. A pond that won't drain is blocked or has a failed outlet — both are compliance and structural concerns requiring prompt repair.
SJRWMD Notice of Non-Compliance or Violation
A formal notice from the St. Johns River Water Management District citing maintenance deficiencies, structural failures, or permit condition violations requires documented corrective action within the timeframe specified in the notice.
Cracked, Sunken, or Shifted Concrete Structures
Visible cracking, settlement, or displacement in weir boxes, riser pipes, headwalls, or spillway aprons signals structural deterioration that will worsen under hydraulic loading and should be assessed before the next storm season.
Our Process
What to Expect From Your Detention Pond Repair Visit
Lapin keeps the process straightforward from the first call through final documentation, so you know what is happening at every step.
Step 1
Call or Schedule Online
Contact Lapin Services by phone or online — we're available 24/7 for urgent pond failures, emergency overflows, or active compliance notices requiring immediate response.
Step 2
On-Site Inspection and Diagnosis
We inspect the pond, assess berm condition, control structure integrity, slope stability, and outlet function — then identify every deficiency and present a clear repair scope and cost before any work begins.
Step 3
Honest Assessment and Recommendations
We coordinate all required permits with local jurisdictions and SJRWMD, and schedule the repair work to minimize disruption to your site operations and tenants.
Step 4
Service Completed
Our licensed underground utility crew completes the repair — berm reconstruction, control structure rehabilitation, slope regrading and re-vegetation, or emergency overflow restoration — using materials and methods that meet permit specifications and current engineering standards.
Step 5
Documentation and Follow-Up
We coordinate the required inspections, confirm the pond meets its original design and permit conditions, and provide full documentation — inspection reports, as-built records, and compliance sign-off — to close out any outstanding regulatory notices.
Why Lapin
Why Central Florida Chooses Lapin for Detention Pond Repair
Lapin combines licensed expertise, local knowledge, and responsive service for pond services work throughout Central Florida.
65+ Years of Experience
Founded in 1958, Lapin has been Central Florida's trusted utility specialist for three generations — with the knowledge and credentials to back it up.
4.9★ Rating · 1,000+ Reviews
The best-rated utility contractor in Florida — not by our own measure, but by the property owners and businesses who've trusted us.
Licensed Underground Utilities Contractor
License CUC1223686. Fully certified for underground utility installation, repair, maintenance, and compliance.
End-to-End Service
One company for installation, repair, inspections, and compliance across all underground utility systems. No handoffs, no finger-pointing between subs.
Available 24/7
Utility emergencies don't wait for business hours. Our team is available around the clock so you're never left waiting when it matters most.
Related Services
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FAQs
Detention Pond Repair FAQs
What makes a detention pond different from a retention pond, and does it affect how repairs are done?
A detention pond holds water temporarily and releases it slowly through a control structure — it is normally dry or has a small permanent pool. A retention pond maintains a permanent water level. The repair methods differ: detention ponds require special attention to control structure function and outlet capacity, while retention ponds involve wet-environment slope and bank work. Lapin services both types throughout Central Florida.
My HOA received a notice from SJRWMD citing pond maintenance deficiencies. How quickly do we need to respond?
SJRWMD notices typically specify a response and correction deadline — often 30 to 90 days depending on the severity of the deficiency. Missing that deadline can result in escalating enforcement, fines, and permit suspension. Contact Lapin as soon as the notice arrives so we can assess the scope and confirm repairs are completed and documented before the deadline.
Can a damaged detention pond berm be repaired, or does the entire embankment need to be rebuilt?
Most berm damage — surface erosion, rilling, localized washouts, and slope failure — can be repaired by regrading, compacting fill to specification, and re-establishing vegetative cover. Full reconstruction is typically only required when the berm has been breached or the embankment is so degraded that the core material no longer meets design specifications. We assess each situation and recommend the most effective repair scope.
What happens if a detention pond control structure fails during a storm?
A failed control structure means the pond cannot regulate discharge. Depending on the failure mode, this can result in rapid uncontrolled drainage that sends excess flow downstream without attenuation — causing flooding, erosion, and property damage — or a blocked outlet that causes the pond to overtop its berm. Either scenario creates significant liability exposure for the property owner and likely constitutes a permit violation.
Do detention pond repairs require permits in Orange County or other Central Florida jurisdictions?
Structural repairs to detention ponds — berm reconstruction, control structure replacement, spillway repair — typically require permits from the local jurisdiction and may require a modification or maintenance notification to SJRWMD under the original Environmental Resource Permit (ERP). Lapin handles the permitting and regulatory coordination as part of the repair process.
How do I know if my pond has lost significant storage capacity due to sediment?
A bathymetric survey measures current pond depth against the original design grade and reveals how much volume has been lost to sediment accumulation. If the pond fills quickly during moderate rain events or doesn’t meet its drawdown time requirement, reduced capacity is likely. We can assess the pond and recommend whether cleanout or structural repair — or both — is needed.
Can Lapin Services handle emergency pond repairs after a major storm event?
Yes. We are available 24/7 for urgent situations including active berm erosion, overflow structure damage, and control structure failures following storm events. Call us immediately if you observe berm breach risk, uncontrolled discharge, or structural damage — rapid response limits downstream impact and reduces overall repair scope.
Do you serve HOAs, commercial property managers, and municipalities throughout Central Florida?
Yes. We repair detention ponds for HOAs, commercial property owners, property management companies, developers, and municipal clients throughout Orlando and the broader Central Florida region including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties.
Schedule Service
Schedule Detention Pond Repair Today
Call Lapin Services today or request service online — and get your detention pond repaired correctly by Central Florida's most trusted licensed underground utility contractor before the next storm puts your site, your neighbors, and your permit at risk.