Fundamental program and system deficiencies create or worsen the impact of stormwater problems in any community. However, due to a historical lack of staff in many Florida communities, minimal drainage system mapping exists and there is a general lack of records and quantified information about the existing drainage facilities. Complete, accurate, and current data are not available on the size, capacity, age or physical condition of the systems, the status of complaints and inquiries, or needed improvements. Detailed drainage plans exist only for portions of many communities.

Many Florida stormwater managers recognize the need for more information to support program planning and work management systems in the future. In many cases, one of the community's key priorities identified is to assemble an accurate and current inventory of the larger components of the drainage system. The smaller swales and ditches which are now managed by the community, and those which are presently treated as a private responsibility, are frequently not addressed in master planning activities which focus on long?term planning for system-wide management, operation and capital investment. This "cost saving" strategy often makes understanding the problems and needs of the existing systems even more difficult because the planning process only addresses a portion of the system.

Fortunately, two technological innovations in the last decade have evolved that make monitoring and planning activities easier for local communities. Database development tools have simplified the process and enabled stormwater managers to develop multi-purpose databases on personal computers. The second innovation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is a powerful tool for integrating numerous, diverse databases, analyzing data, and presenting the results graphically. These innovations, taken collectively, provide communities with a cost-effective means of mapping, inventorying, monitoring and reporting on their stormwater management systems and facilities.