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To celebrate Springs Protection Awareness Month, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is launching a new Septic to Sewer initiative by providing more than $7 million in matching funds for five projects that help reduce the impact of septic tanks on the region’s five first-magnitude springs. “Improving our five first-magnitude springs is a key priority for our District,” said Brian Armstrong, the District’s executive director. “Thanks to the…

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. While we shelter at home to stay safe, here are 10 simple tips to lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water: INDOOR…

With the holiday season upon us, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is asking residents to make water conservation a new tradition.“This holiday season it is especially important to conserve water because the District is still experiencing impacts from two years of drought and we are now in the dry season,” said Robyn Felix, the District’s media relations manager. “We can all make a difference by incorporating a few simple tips into our…

Two water management districts are teaming up to offer a variety of interactive games and exercises at the 5th Annual Marion County Springs Festival.Because Marion County is within the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the St Johns Water Management District, staff members from both districts are working together to teach kids about our water resources. Some of the hands-on activities include “In the Bubble,” “Make it Sink,” and “…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District was recently recognized by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)/Wheelin’ Sportsmen for its commitment to providing disabled outdoor enthusiasts opportunities to enjoy the wilderness.The NWTF’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen, which facilitates outdoor events for the disabled, honored the District during the organization’s 30th Annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee and later at a chapter…

Pinellas Heights Senior Apartments contains the 1,000th property certified Florida Water Star℠ by the District.  The 153-unit senior living community in Largo pushes the exact count to 1,048 certifications and is the first Florida Water Star community in Pinellas County. That means the entire complex met the requirements of the certification program by installing water-efficient fixtures, appliances and landscaping.  Florida Water Star is a voluntary…

The District’s executive director recently declared an emergency order to increase water restrictions including limiting lawn watering to once per week in the Tampa Bay area due to continued drought conditions. Executive Director Blake Guillory declared a Modified Phase II emergency water shortage order for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Under the emergency order, the allowable lawn and landscape watering schedule is reduced to once per week on a specified…

Dozens of state and community leaders joined the District last week in kicking off the Rock Ponds Ecosystem Restoration Project. The project, located just north of the Manatee County line in Ruskin, will feature more than 1,000 acres of restored  uplands and wetlands when completed in about two years. Executive Director Robert Beltran acknowledged the project was possible thanks to community partners like Hillsborough County.  “Over the years,…

While tropical storms Beryl and Debby provided record rains to the region, they were not enough to restore hydrologic conditions to normal. That's why the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ voted today to extend its "Modified Phase III water shortage order":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/phase3.php.Phase III restrictions were extended until July 31 for Citrus, Hernando,…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org is inviting the public to comment on proposed minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for Lake Hooker in Seffner at a public meeting on Thursday, June 14.The rule development public workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the District's Tampa Service Office, 7601 US Hwy 301, Tampa.The state Legislature requires the District to set "MFLs":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/mfl/ for priority water bodies…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday approved a revised agreement with the St. Johns River Water Management District to provide uniform lawn and landscape irrigation measures throughout unincorporated Marion County and the City of Ocala during both temporary drought and normal year-round conditions.Marion County and Ocala are divided between the two water management districts, with the boundary roughly being the path of Interstate…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging residents to turn off their irrigation systems after it rains.During the winter months your lawn only needs water one-half to three-quarters of an inch every 10 to 14 days.Because the area is experiencing below-normal rainfall and groundwater conditions, the need to conserve is greater than ever. Outdoor water use can account for up to fifty percent of residential water use.“Many homeowners have a rain…

Guest speakers and songs will be featured at the 6th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, which is being held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver River State Park.A variety of experts will speak about Florida’s springs and springs protection during the festival, including Chris Zajac, an environmental scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Zajac will talk about the District’s projects on the Rainbow River. Other…

Two area home builders were recently recognized for their use of water-wise landscaping.Fidelity Homes and Pruett Builders both received the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition Award Friday at the annual Manatee and Sarasota County Home Builders Association Parade of Homes banquet. Fidelity Homes’ Cordoba model won the Manatee County award, while Pruett Builders’ Mar a Lago II model won the Sarasota County award.The Water-Wise Landscape Recognition program is a competition…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this quail hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors.When:Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.Where:The hunt will be…

Who:Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen representatives, disabled hunters and volunteer guidesWhat:The District has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin’ Sportsmen to organize this deer hunt, which allows disabled men, women and young adults to experience the outdoors. Participants will use specially equipped crossbows and bows during the hunt.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday declared April “Water Conservation Month.”By proclaiming April to be Water Conservation Month, the District joined the state Legislature, Tampa Bay Water and dozens of local governments in an effort to call attention to the need for water conservation.Because April is part of Florida’s dry season, it is a good time to focus on water and how we can conserve more of what we have…

Paddling down the calm flows of the Chassahowitzka River, you might come across a barge humming with machinery. All seems calm on the surface to the casual boater floating nearby. But in the depths below the water line, divers are hard at work restoring a portion of the treasured waterway in Citrus County. Workers are removing sediments that have accumulated in the springs. It’s part of the District’s Chassahowitzka Springs Restoration Project.  Sand and…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to comment on proposed "minimum guidance levels for Tooke Lake and Whitehurst Pond ":http://www.WaterMatters.org/mfl in Hernando County at a public workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The workshop will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., Weeki Wachee.The state Legislature requires the District to set minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the public to comment on proposed minimum levels for Bonable, Tiger and Little Bonable lakes in Marion County at a public workshop on Thursday, September 27th. The workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon, Florida 34431.The state Legislature requires the District to set " minimum flows and levels":http://www.WaterMatters.org/mfl (MFLs) for priority…