The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of January and February.

According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed.

You can determine when your grass needs water when:

• 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.  

Watering only every other week at most during the winter will help conserve drinking water supplies that the public needs for critical uses during the dry season. 

For additional information about water conservation, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SkipAWeek. 

According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Tampa Bay area are expected to have near to below-freezing temperatures starting Tuesday morning and lasting throughout the week.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District advises residents who live near Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches to turn off the pumps before temperatures dip.

During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops and fish farms, causing aquifer levels to temporarily drop. Once aquifer levels fall below a well’s pump level, the pump can burn out if it is not shut off manually or automatically by a low-pressure shut-off device. An electrical switch located on or near the well can turn off most pumps.

Residents should wait until the temperatures warm up and water levels begin to recover before turning their pumps back on. Residents should consult their local well contractor for questions about restarting their pumps.

To report a dry well, visit WaterMatters.org or contact the District’s Regulation Division at (813) 985-7481.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is offering six easy ways to prepare for your holiday meals and travels without running up your water bill.

During the holidays, water plays a role in everything from preparing your food to prepping your home for time away during this festive season. Here’s how to incorporate water conservation into your holiday plans:

• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over them.
   
• Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to water houseplants. A running faucet can use approximately 2 gallons per minute.
   
• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
   
• Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load. Standard dishwashers can use 5 gallons of water or more per load. If handwashing, turn the water off when you’re soaping up the dishes.
   
• Check for indoor and outdoor leaks before you head out for the holidays. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day!
   
• Consider upgrading to a WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller that can automatically adjust to your lawn's water needs while you enjoy your holiday travels.

For more water conservation tips, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will open Phase 2 hog hunt registration Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m. The District holds a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population.

What you need to know about Phase 2 hunts:

• Phase 2 will include six hunts that occur in January 2025.
• Permits are transferable.
• The single top producer on each hunt of Phase 2 will be placed on the District’s “top producer” list and will be contacted between March and October 2025 to take part in feral hog management hunts on an as-needed basis, free of charge. 

Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, hogs may facilitate the spread of exotic plant species by transporting seeds and/or providing germination sites through rooting.

The District has a three-phased hunting system. The first two phases of hunts have separate registration processes. The single top producer from each Phase 1 and Phase 2 hunt will be asked to participate in hog management activities for Phase 3.

For more information, please visit our website at WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.