While the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) encourages water conservation year-round, there is extra emphasis each April for Water Conservation Month. 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.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board recognized Lace Blue-McLean as this year’s springs community partner, while declaring April Springs Protection Awareness Month.

Blue-McLean is the chair of the Save Our Waters Week Committee, which was formed more than 20 years ago to bring awareness to water issues in Citrus County. Each year, she dedicates countless hours to organizing the weeklong event. Through free tours, cleanups and other educational presentations, the event gives the public a hands-on look at the importance of protecting local water resources.

In support of the Florida Legislature’s adopted resolution declaring April 2019 as Springs Protection Awareness Month, the Governing Board also emphasized that springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state. The District, in partnership with various stakeholders, is committed to implementing projects to conserve and restore the ecological balance of our spring systems, supporting the regional economies and quality of life.

There are more than 150 documented springs throughout the 16-county District, with five first-magnitude spring groups that collectively discharge more than 1 billion gallons of water per day.

You can find more information about springs on our website at WaterMatters.org/Springs.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 26, at 9 a.m. at District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville.

To view the Governing Board meeting online, visit WaterMatters.org and 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.

The meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted one week before the meeting, and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Boards, Meetings & Events Calendar” link.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301 North.

To view the Governing Board meeting online, visit WaterMatters.org and 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.

The meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted one week before the meeting, and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Meetings & Events Calendar” link.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will host a public workshop Wednesday, Feb. 27, to share information about changes to the current structure operational guidelines for the North Winter Haven Chain of Lakes in Polk County. The meeting will take place at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center’s Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Citrus Hall, located at 700 Experiment Station Road in Lake Alfred.

Lakefront residents of Lakes Conine, Fannie, Haines, Hamilton, Henry, Lowery, Rochelle, Smart and the Peace Creek Canal are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be an open house the first hour of the workshop, followed by a presentation and open discussion.

The public workshop is a continuation of the collaboration between residents who live along the North Winter Haven Chain of Lakes and the District. In February 2018, the District also held public workshops as part of the process of reviewing the operational guidelines. Lakes Conine, Haines and Rochelle are included in the system, but do not have structures.

Members of the public interested in viewing the draft guidelines online or receiving future lake management communications can visit our website at WaterMatters.org/Structures to sign up for information and to submit comments online.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has scheduled maintenance work to the Lake Keystone water conservation structure. The District will build a temporary dam around the structure to dewater or “dry out” the work area.

The work will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and is scheduled to begin Feb. 18 and should be completed by March 8. During that time, drivers may experience occasional short-term traffic congestion as equipment is moved in and out of the area. Drivers are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and use caution as the work area will be very close to oncoming traffic.

The Lake Keystone structure is located on Tarpon Springs Road between Keystone Manor Road and Wayne Road at the northern tip of Lake Keystone. The District will actively monitor water levels in Lake Keystone and Lake Island Ford during the construction.

For additional questions, please call the District at (352) 796-7211.