Heavy rains create sewage backups with increasing frequency in Wilton Manors. Fixes are expensive and take time, but the city is making progress.

During the city commission meeting on Dec. 9, utilities director Alan Dodd updated progress. He outlined how some areas flood faster and reiterated that many of the pump and lift stations are up to 60 years old.

He says the 26th St. trunk line is the key piece of the plan. It currently is between 10”-21” wide and during heavy rains gets up to about 90% full. Dodd says these pipes start backing up after reaching 60%-80% capacity.

The plan is to replace the pipe in 2027, increasing capacity by about 40%. Dodd says over the next five years, the city will replace or refurbish nine of the 12 lift stations.

The city has already used cameras to examine many water and sewage lines to spot and seal leaks, as well as relining some pipes.

Visit wiltonmanorsfl.portal.civicclerk.com to view the entire strategic plan presentation.

The commission is on holiday hiatus, and will meet next on Jan. 13, 2026.