Water Conservation at the Office
Many of the tips the District promotes for Water Conservation Month can be found in use at its own campuses.
10 Polk County Cities Require Florida Water Star℠ Standards
Polk County is taking a lead in water conservation as nearly a dozen cities pass laws requiring new homes to be built more water efficient.
Governing Board to Meet in Brooksville
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 26, at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding fully vaccinated people, wearing masks and social distancing will be optional at the meeting.
To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.
Public comment will be taken only at the meeting location. Public input for issues not listed on the published agenda will be heard shortly after the meeting begins.
The meeting agenda and materials are posted one week before the meeting and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meeting & Events Calendar.”
Subject
Governing Board
Advisory Committees Provide Key Input
For decades, the District’s five advisory committees have played an important role in providing input on water management programs, projects and related issues.
Students Recognized for Science Projects That Search for Water Solutions
The District recently presented the Water Matters award to three Pasco County students searching for solutions to improve water quality and sustain freshwater supplies.
10 Tips to Save Water for Water Conservation Month
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board declared April Water Conservation Month at its March meeting. April is historically one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers.
With these 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water:
INDOOR
- Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
- Use the shortest clothes washing cycle for lightly soiled loads; normal and permanent-press wash cycles use more water.
- Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water.
- Scrape, don’t rinse, your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.
- Install high-efficiency showerheads, faucets and toilets.
OUTDOOR
- Check your home’s irrigation system for leaks.
- Turn off your irrigation system and only water as needed.
- Don’t leave sprinklers unattended. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.
- Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle when washing the car.
- Consider installing a rain barrel with a drip irrigation system for watering your landscaping. Rainwater is free and better for your plants because it doesn’t contain hard minerals.
Leaks are the biggest water waster, both inside and outside of your home. You can use your water meter to check for leaks. Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances and make sure no one uses water during the testing period. Wait for the hot water heater and ice cube makers to refill and for regeneration of water softeners. Go to your water meter and record the current reading. Wait 30 minutes. (Remember, no water should be used during this period.) Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.
For more information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Conservation.
Subject
Water Conservation
Governing Board to Meet in Tampa
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 22, at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding fully vaccinated people, wearing masks and social distancing will be optional at the meeting.
To view the Governing Board meeting online, click on the live video stream link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.
Public comment will be taken only at the meeting location. Public input for issues not listed on the published agenda will be heard shortly after the meeting begins.
The meeting agenda and materials are posted one week before the meeting and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meeting & Events Calendar.”
Subject
Governing Board
Public Invited to Help Identify Flood Prone Areas in the Davenport Watershed in Polk County
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Polk County.
The District will provide a virtual public comment period now through April 29 at WaterMatters.org/Floodplain for the public to view preliminary data for flood prone areas within the Davenport Watershed. The website will present preliminary data for flood prone areas and the public will have the opportunity to submit comments.
After addressing the public comments, information will be finalized and presented to the District’s Governing Board for approval to use the data for regulatory purposes. This information is not currently being incorporated into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs); however, it may be used in future DFIRM updates.
The information, which identifies areas prone to flooding, can be used by local governments for land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, to reduce flood risks, to preserve land and water resources, and for emergency planning. It will also provide valuable information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting property.
For more information or to find out which watershed you live in, please visit WaterMatters.org/Floodplain or call the District at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4297.
Subject
Water Management
District Reminds Visitors to Help Protect the Weeki Wachee River in Hernando County
With spring break season approaching, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), along with other local and state partners, wants to remind Weeki Wachee River visitors about the recreational best practices that will help protect the river and reduce ecological impacts.
A recent ecologically based study found direct links between recreational use on the river and environmental damage. For example, visitors leaving kayaks while on the river have trampled vegetation and eroded riverbanks and sand point bars. Also, numerous trees have been damaged from climbing and rope swinging.
The study showed that managing the types of activities on the river is just as important, if not more important, as managing the number of visitors.
Follow these seven tips to help protect the Weeki Wachee River:
1. Stay in the vessel when possible.
2. If you have to leave the vessel, tie off in shallow waters.
3. Avoid docking on riverbanks.
4. Don't trample vegetation or kick up silt.
5. Avoid climbing on banks and walking on sand point bars.
6. Don't climb trees or use rope swings.
7. Don't throw out litter or leave anything behind.
In addition, the District will be distributing free education materials made available at kayak shops, vacation rentals and other businesses near the river. For more information, visit WaterMatters.org/ProtectWeeki.
The education campaign is in partnership with Hernando County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau.
Subject
Water Management
Check Your Irrigation Timer When You ‘Spring Forward’ for Daylight Saving Time
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers this weekend, which is the beginning of daylight saving time.
Saturday night is when we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the systems operate consistently with year-round water conservation measures.
All 16 counties throughout the District’s boundaries are currently on year-round water conservation measures, with lawn watering limited to twice-per-week unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours. Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Citrus, Hernando, southern Hillsborough, Pasco and Sarasota counties.
Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don’t water just because it’s your day. Irrigate your lawn when it shows signs of stress from lack of water. Pay attention to signs of stressed grass:
- Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard.
- Grass blades appear blue-gray.
- Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it.
For additional information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Conservation.
Subject
Water Conservation