Pond and Stormwater Service in Central Florida
Detention Pond Construction in Orlando, FL
Central Florida's trusted underground utility contractor for detention pond excavation, grading, berm construction, and control structure installation — fully permitted and compliant.
65+ years serving Central Florida
Licensed local service team
Fast scheduling and clear communication
Service Overview
Detention Pond Construction Backed by 65+ Years of Local Experience
Every new development in Central Florida faces the same challenge: where does the stormwater go? Detention ponds are the answer for sites that need to temporarily capture runoff during rain events and release it at a controlled rate — protecting roads, neighboring properties, and downstream waterways from flooding.
Lapin Services constructs detention ponds for commercial developments, industrial sites, and large residential projects across the Orlando area. We handle the full scope — site excavation, earthwork and grading, berm construction, inlet and outlet control structures, and all required SJRWMD and FDEP permitting — so your project stays on schedule and passes inspection the first time.
Problems We Solve
Common Detention Pond Construction Problems We Fix
Here are the issues our team commonly finds and resolves during detention pond construction calls across Central Florida.
Flooding on New Development Sites
Without proper stormwater attenuation, impervious surfaces send runoff directly into streets, adjacent lots, and drainage systems — triggering permit failures and neighbor disputes.
Undersized or Improperly Graded Ponds
A detention pond that isn't sized or graded to the drainage basin's volume requirements will overflow during major rain events, defeating its purpose and creating liability.
Non-Functioning Control Structures
Blocked, undersized, or incorrectly installed outlet control structures prevent the pond from draining at the permitted rate — causing standing water and permit violations.
Berm Erosion and Structural Failure
Berms built without proper compaction or slope protection erode over time, compromising the pond's storage capacity and creating safety hazards on the site perimeter.
SJRWMD / FDEP Permit Delays
Missing or incorrect permit documentation for stormwater systems can halt a construction project entirely — causing costly schedule overruns on time-sensitive developments.
When to Call
Signs Your Pond Or Stormwater Asset Needs Professional Attention
If you notice any of these warning signs, schedule detention pond construction before the problem becomes more disruptive or expensive.
Your Site Plan Requires Stormwater Attenuation
If your civil engineer's drainage report calls for a detention or dry retention pond, you need a licensed underground utility contractor to build it to those specifications.
You're Breaking Ground on a Commercial or Industrial Site
Large impervious surfaces — parking lots, warehouses, strip centers, industrial pads — require engineered stormwater management systems before a certificate of occupancy can be issued.
Your Current Pond Isn't Draining Between Rain Events
A properly functioning detention pond should drain to dry conditions within 72 hours. Persistent standing water signals a control structure problem or inadequate outlet capacity.
Your Permit Requires a Pre-Construction or As-Built Inspection
SJRWMD and FDEP permits often require inspections at multiple construction phases. You need a contractor experienced with the documentation and sign-off process.
You're Coordinating a Multi-Phase Development
Multi-phase projects often need temporary detention during early phases before permanent stormwater infrastructure is complete — requiring a contractor who can build and modify systems as the project evolves.
Our Process
What to Expect From Your Detention Pond Construction 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 with your project details — site address, acreage, permitted pond volume, and any available civil drawings or drainage reports.
Step 2
On-Site Inspection and Diagnosis
We review the site plan and permit requirements, confirm scope, and provide a detailed estimate for excavation, earthwork, berm construction, and control structure installation.
Step 3
Honest Assessment and Recommendations
We coordinate all required SJRWMD and FDEP permit submissions and pre-construction documentation so your project can break ground without delays.
Step 4
Service Completed
Our crew performs excavation and mass grading to design elevations, constructs perimeter berms with proper compaction and slope protection, and installs inlet and outlet control structures.
Step 5
Documentation and Follow-Up
We complete as-built documentation, coordinate required inspections, and deliver a fully permitted, compliant detention pond ready for site closeout.
Why Lapin
Why Central Florida Chooses Lapin for Detention Pond Construction
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 Construction FAQs
What is a detention pond and how is it different from a retention pond?
A detention pond — sometimes called a dry pond — temporarily holds stormwater during and after a rain event, then drains completely through a control structure within 24–72 hours. A retention pond holds a permanent pool of water year-round. Detention ponds are typically used when flood attenuation is the primary goal and a permanent water body isn’t required or desired.
When is a detention pond required for a development project?
Florida stormwater rules require most new commercial, industrial, and large residential developments to manage runoff on-site so post-development discharge rates do not exceed pre-development levels. When site conditions don’t support infiltration, a detention pond is often the primary stormwater management solution.
What permits are required to construct a detention pond in Central Florida?
Detention ponds in Central Florida typically require an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and, depending on scope, coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Local county or municipal permits may also apply. Lapin Services manages this permitting process as part of our scope of work.
How is a detention pond sized?
Pond sizing is determined by a licensed civil engineer or hydrologist based on the drainage basin area, impervious surface coverage, design storm events (typically 25-year or 100-year storms), and the allowable discharge rate set by the permit. Lapin constructs the pond to those engineered specifications.
What is a control structure and why is it important?
A control structure is the outlet device — typically a riser, weir, or bleeder pipe — that regulates the rate at which the pond drains after a storm. It is the engineered mechanism that ensures the pond discharges at the permitted rate, preventing downstream flooding. Proper installation and sizing are critical to permit compliance.
How long does it take for a detention pond to drain after a rain event?
Most detention ponds are designed to drain to dry conditions within 24–72 hours after a storm, depending on the permitted drawdown time and the volume of water captured. If your pond is holding water longer than that, the control structure or outlet pipe may need inspection or maintenance.
Can Lapin Services build a detention pond as part of a larger sitework package?
Yes. We regularly perform detention pond construction as part of a broader underground utility and sitework scope — including storm drainage, grading, and utility installation — so developers and general contractors have a single accountable partner for the full below-grade scope.
Do you serve the full Central Florida region?
Yes. Lapin Services serves Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida region, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Polk counties.
Schedule Service
Schedule Detention Pond Construction Today
Planning a development that requires a detention pond? Call Lapin Services or request a project consultation online — and get it built right the first time by Central Florida's most trusted utility contractor.