Search Content

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…

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…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is inviting the public to comment on proposed "minimum flows and levels(Minimum Flows and Levels)":/mfl (MFLs) for the upper and middle Withlacoochee River at a public workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The workshop will be held from 6:30 to approximately 9 p.m. at the "District's headquarters(Google map)":http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=2379+Broad+Street,+Brooksville,+FL+…

Southwest Florida Water Management District employees and Board members, as well as their friends and families, will be among the hundreds of volunteers taking part in this weekend’s 21st Annual Hillsborough River & Waterways Cleanup. The cleanup begins Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Lowry Park Boat Ramp.The annual event is one of Tampa’s largest volunteer activities. Each year volunteers scour dozens of shoreline locations along the Hillsborough River and…

Guest speakers, songs and outdoor activities will be featured at the 7th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, which is being held Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver River State Park. On Sunday, Sept. 21, several guided hikes and paddling trips are planned.On Saturday a variety of experts will speak about Florida’s aquifer system, as well as Florida’s springs and springs protection. Speakers include Fay Baird, a senior hydrologist with…

Did you know that you can save hundreds of gallons of water per month by only running your washing machine and dishwater when it is full? This simple step, along with the other tips below can reduce your indoor water consumption.While the Southwest Florida Water Management District advocates water conservation year-round, an extra effort is being made to promote conservation throughout April. Governments and water management districts throughout the state have declared…

Information on how residents can conserve water during the drought will be a focal point at this year’s Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival being held Jan. 19-20 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.The Southwest Florida Water Management District will promote water conservation and Florida-friendly landscaping with its water-conserving restroom at the annual event.“Because the area is experiencing a severe drought, water conservation is even more crucial,” said Melissa…

Visitors of the 13th Annual Marion County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival will have the opportunity to experience water conservation in action when they stop in and use the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s water conservation restroom station.The festival is being held March 10 and 11 at the Marion County Extension Service Office in Ocala. The office is located at 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Rd.Community festivals allow the District to spread the word…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is celebrating 10 years of Community Education Grants. The program motivates adults to get involved in education projects that promote water resources protection.The District is once again soliciting applications for grants up to $5,000 to be used for projects that provide adults with an opportunity to learn about water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Government agencies, private…

When Wayne Rubow designed his new Citrus County home, he wanted water conservation to be a central concept of the design. Inside, he chose low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets. He installed water-efficient appliances like a dishwasher and washing machine. Outside, his landscape has no grass and no irrigation, instead opting for plants that require little water. "Water is a very important aspect of our conservation," Rubow said. "I just wanted to give…

Five Polk County projects that are expected to reach approximately 27,100 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant…

At 16 years old, Sandie Will, geohydrologic data manager, set out to pen her first work of fiction – a haunted house story based on her love of horror flicks. Years later, her passion for the paranormal will be printed on the pages of her first published novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor – a young adult, psychological thriller from Caliburn Press scheduled for release by the end of 2016. The story, inspired by true events, follows Jeannie Kynde, a 14-year-old girl…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized 14 Hillsborough County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized 14 Hillsborough County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is gathering input to better identify flooding risks in the Peace Creek watershed.The District is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on its national effort to update and modernize the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). As part of the effort, updates are being made to the floodplain information for the Peace Creek watershed.The District is holding an open house in Polk County to present…

There are thousands of acres of recreational lands throughout the District and most of them are free to visitors. Now the District has two new resources to give more information about these opportunities. The District has published a new recreational guide highlighting nearly 70 properties in a new…

h2. Overwatering in Winter Can Encourage Pests and DiseaseThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" or more of watering during the cooler months of December, 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…

Two Ocala homes were certified in December as "Florida Water StarSM Silver(Florida Water Star)":/conservation/florida_water_star by the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.The homes are the first in Marion County to receive the water-saving certification. Located in the Renaissance neighborhood of Ocala's On Top of the World development, they are equipped with water-efficient appliances and fixtures. "Florida-Friendly…

Mountain bikers have a new place to pedal. The District opened a new off-road bike trail in Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. The project is in partnership with Pasco County and the Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers (SWAMP).  In response to public comment received during public meetings on the Pasco County Greenways Master Plan, the County determined a strong demand for off-road bicycling opportunities within the proximity of the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hernando County are holding another public meeting to present preliminary floodplain information and explain the basis behind the findings.The information will be used to update area floodplain information and develop preliminary Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Most of the current FIRMs are 10 to 30 years old and are outdated because of natural and physical changes caused by…