Pond services help in Central Florida
Retention Pond Construction in Orlando, FL
Tell us what is happening. We will find the cause, explain your options, and handle retention pond construction with care.
65+ years serving Central Florida
Licensed local service team
Fast scheduling and clear communication
Service Overview
Retention Pond Construction With Clear Answers Before Work Begins
Florida's flat terrain, high water table, and year-round rain events make stormwater management one of the most critical — and regulated — elements of any new development. A properly constructed retention pond controls runoff, protects adjacent properties from flooding, and keeps your project in compliance with SJRWMD and FDEP Environmental Resource Permit requirements from day one.
Lapin Services has been handling underground utility and sitework projects across Central Florida since 1958. We work directly with civil engineers to execute retention pond construction that meets permit drawings to the letter — excavation, berm construction, inlet and outlet structures, and final grading — so your development timeline stays on track and your stormwater system performs for decades.
Problems We Solve
Common Retention Pond Construction Problems We Fix
You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself. These are common issues we help confirm, explain, and repair.
Stormwater Runoff and Flooding Risk
New impervious surfaces — rooftops, parking lots, roads — dramatically increase runoff volume. Without a properly sized retention pond, that water ends up on neighboring properties or roadways, creating liability and regulatory problems.
SJRWMD / FDEP Permit Requirements
Development projects in Central Florida require an Environmental Resource Permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District and coordination with FDEP. A pond built outside permit specifications can trigger stop-work orders, fines, and costly rework.
Incorrect Grading and Berm Elevation
Florida's nearly flat topography leaves little room for grading error. Berms built to the wrong elevation fail to contain design-storm water volumes, undermining the entire stormwater system.
High Water Table Complicating Excavation
Central Florida's water table is notoriously shallow. Excavation without proper dewatering and sequencing leads to unstable banks, erosion, and a pond that doesn't hold its designed shape or capacity.
Inlet and Outlet Structure Failures
Undersized or improperly installed control structures allow ponds to overflow uncontrolled or fail to discharge at the permitted rate — both of which create flooding, compliance, and liability issues for the property owner.
When to Call
Signs Your Pond Or Stormwater Asset Needs Professional Attention
If you notice any of these signs, call Lapin. We will find the cause and explain what needs to happen next.
Your Development Requires an ERP
If your project disturbs more than one acre or alters drainage patterns, SJRWMD will require an Environmental Resource Permit — which typically mandates a designed retention or detention pond as part of approval.
Civil Plans Include a Stormwater Pond
Once a civil engineer has designed your stormwater management system and the permit is approved, you need a licensed underground utility contractor to execute the construction to those exact specifications.
You're Breaking Ground on a New Development
New residential subdivisions, commercial sites, HOA communities, and light industrial projects in Central Florida almost universally require stormwater retention as a condition of development approval.
Existing Drainage Is Causing Flooding or Complaints
If a site lacks adequate stormwater capacity and runoff is creating drainage problems, constructing a compliant retention pond may be required to resolve both the issue and any regulatory findings against the property.
Your GC Needs a Specialty Utility Sub
General contractors building in Central Florida frequently need a licensed underground utilities contractor to handle the earthwork, excavation, and structure installation for the stormwater pond portion of the project.
Our Process
What to Expect From Your Retention Pond Construction Visit
Tell us what is happening. We arrive prepared, explain the work clearly, and give clear pricing before work begins.
Step 1
Tell Us What Is Happening
Call or request service. You do not have to know exactly what failed; describe what you see, smell, hear, or need done.
Step 2
We Find the Cause
A Lapin technician or crew checks the issue, reviews the project, and explains what needs to be done in plain language.
Step 3
You Approve the Work
You get clear pricing and options before work begins, so you can make a confident decision.
Step 4
We Handle It With Care
We complete the approved work, respect your home, business, or jobsite, and keep you informed.
Step 5
We Stand Behind the Job
Before we leave, we confirm the work, answer questions, and make sure you know what to expect next.
Why Lapin
Why Central Florida Chooses Lapin for Retention Pond Construction
Our name is on every job. We respect your time, budget, property, and trust.
65+ Years of Experience
Lapin has served Central Florida since 1958. Our name is on every job, and we do the work in a way we can stand behind.
Clear Communication
We explain what we find, what it means, and what your options are before work begins.
Respect for Your Property
We protect the home, business, property, or jobsite and treat people the way we would want to be treated.
The Right Team for the Work
We handle plumbing, septic, drains, sewer, underground utilities, commercial service, and serious project work.
Care When It Matters
Every call affects a family, tenant, customer, business, property, or project. We do not take that lightly.
Related Services
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FAQs
Retention Pond Construction FAQs
What is a retention pond and how is it different from a detention pond?
A retention pond holds a permanent pool of water year-round and manages stormwater by storing runoff above that permanent pool level. A detention pond is typically dry between rain events, holding water only temporarily. Most Florida developments use retention ponds because the high water table makes permanent pools natural and beneficial for water quality treatment.
Does my development project require an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP)?
Most projects in Central Florida that disturb one acre or more, alter existing drainage, or fall within certain regulated areas require an ERP from the St. Johns River Water Management District and may also require FDEP review. Your civil engineer will determine permit applicability and design the stormwater system to meet those requirements. We execute construction to those approved drawings.
How long does retention pond construction take?
Timeline depends on pond size, soil conditions, water table depth, and weather. A straightforward retention pond on a small commercial or residential development typically takes two to four weeks for earthwork and structure installation. We coordinate closely with your project schedule to keep the critical path on track.
Do you work with civil engineers on retention pond projects?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with civil engineers throughout construction to confirm grades, elevations, and structure placements match the permitted drawings. If field conditions require a design adjustment, we communicate immediately so changes can be reviewed and documented properly.
How does Florida's high water table affect retention pond construction?
A high water table means groundwater may be encountered at shallow depths during excavation. We plan for dewatering as part of the scope when needed, select appropriate excavation sequencing, and compact berms from stable, dry material to ensure long-term slope stability. This is standard practice in Central Florida and one reason local experience matters.
What are inlet and outlet control structures and why do they matter?
Inlet structures direct stormwater from the site into the pond. Outlet control structures — typically a control structure with a weir or orifice — regulate how fast water discharges from the pond after a storm event, preventing downstream flooding and meeting the permitted discharge rate. Proper installation is critical for the pond to perform as designed and stay in compliance.
Do you handle permitting, or is that the engineer's responsibility?
The civil engineer of record prepares and submits the ERP application and stormwater design. Our role is to construct the pond to the permitted drawings and coordinate with inspectors during construction. We manage any field inspections required during the build and provide documentation needed to close out the permit.
Can Lapin Services construct retention ponds for HOA communities and commercial developments?
Yes. We work on new residential subdivisions, HOA communities, commercial sites, light industrial properties, and mixed-use developments across Central Florida. Whether you’re a general contractor, developer, or property owner, we have the licensing, equipment, and experience to handle retention pond construction as part of your project.
Schedule Service
Tell Us What Is Happening
Call Lapin or request service. We will get the right team moving, explain your options, and handle the work with care.