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Retention ponds and detention ponds are raising safety concerns for those who live near them. Retention ponds, also known as wet ponds, are facilities that maintain a permanent pool of water. Detention ponds, also known as dry ponds, store water only in the aftermath of runoff events. These ponds are significantly helpful in the area of stormwater management and flood control. However, these ponds can also pose a significant risk to public health, safety and welfare.
A main safety concern regarding these ponds is that children are extremely attracted to them and can risk drowning or other water-related personal injures. For example, a dry pond near an office park experienced a rapid rise. A child was apparently playing in the pond and was knocked down by jet flows from an inlet pipe, tumbled by vortex flows and ultimately dragged into an unprotected outlet pipe by suction forces. Safety experts are blaming injuries similar to this one on the designed of these ponds. Expert urge officials who are responsible for constructing these ponds to not build these ponds next to areas where children are largely present (parks, playgrounds, etc.). Failure to address the safety risks caused by these ponds could and, more than likely, will lead to more water-related child personal injuries or death. If you would like to read more of the safety concerns regarding retention and detention ponds please see Retention and detention ponds pose risks of drowning and other water-related injuries to children.
Until officials and property owners take a more proactive role in setting up safety precautions for children in and around retention and detention ponds, parents and guardians should inform children of the inherent dangers in water. Water is highly attractive to children. Therefore, children should be taught not to get too close or go into water without the supervision of an adult or other responsible adult.