District to Host Career Fairs in Brooksville and Tampa

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is hosting career fairs to recruit people seeking a rewarding career protecting the region’s water resources. The career fairs are open to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring current resumes.

The District is a government agency that employs a diverse workforce from across a wide variety of disciplines, including administrative, business and finance, trades work, mechanical, heavy equipment operation, well drilling, natural sciences and engineering, and many more.

  • The Brooksville career fair will take place Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville.
  • The Tampa career fair will take place Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at the District’s Tampa Service Office located at 7601 US Hwy. 301 in Tampa.

The District maintains a supportive and inclusive work culture that fosters success through teamwork and collaboration. The District offers generous time off, health, dental and vision plans, continuing education opportunities and a 6.38% contribution to the Florida Retirement System. Remote work and flexible work schedules are available for many positions. District offices are located in Brooksville, Tampa, Sarasota and Bartow.

Visit WaterMatters.org/Careers to view and apply for current openings.

 

Subject
Careers

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

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
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