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The Southwest Florida Water Management District, in cooperation with Hillsborough County, completed the largest habitat restoration project ever done in the history of Tampa Bay.
Project Background
Since 2009, the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program has been working to design and construct the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. This project is a cooperative effort between SWIM and the Hillsborough County… Read more
Springs »
Your Questions Answered
April 2020
April is Springs Protection Awareness Month, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is committed to protecting the more than 200 springs within the District. To raise awareness about the importance of these natural treasures, Springs Scientist Dr. Madison Trowbridge answers some commonly asked questions about our springs.
Q: What is a spring?
A: A spring occurs when… Read more
The District is one of five regional agencies directed by state law to protect and preserve water resources within its boundaries. Established in 1961 to operate and maintain several large flood protection projects, the District’s responsibilities have expanded to include managing water supply and protecting water quality and the natural systems — rivers, lakes, wetlands and associated uplands.
Origin and Evolution
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (… Read more
October 2023Q: What kind of recreation opportunities does the District offer?A: There are thousands of acres of recreational lands throughout the District and access to most of them is free to visitors. If you are into biking, birding, boating, camping, canoeing and paddling, equestrian activities, fishing, hiking or hunting, there’s something for everyone on the nearly 70 properties. Several District properties offer picnic facilities, and… Read more
Your Questions AnsweredAugust 2020Many residents have questions about the process of constructing wells on their property. Southwest Florida Water Management District Well Construction manager David Arnold has the answers to some frequently asked questions.Q: Why do I need a permit to construct a water well?A: A well construction permit is required before installation of a water well within the Southwest Florida Water Management… Read more
Your Questions Answered
November 2020
Q: What are seagrasses?
A: Seagrasses are flowering plants that colonized the ocean some 70 to 100 million years ago. Seagrasses have leaves, flowers, seeds and roots. Unlike land plants, seagrasses do not have strong stems to hold themselves up. Instead they are supported by the buoyancy of the water surrounding them. Another unique… Read more
John Parker (left), his wife Leslie, daughters Melissa and Jessica, and son-in-law Dylan Nugent gather near “Other Man Lake” in Quetico Provincial Park.
Sadness spread across the District’s Brooksville Headquarters as coworkers learned about John Parker’s death in a car accident in May.
“When you spend more than 20 years working with someone on projects that define your life, and when you share in a common goal, you have a bond, even if you didn’t hang out… Read more
Animal Assistance
Some people panic when they hear disaster is heading their way; others mobilize and see what they can do to help. When Leigh Rogers, a regulation processing specialist at the District’s Sarasota Service Office, heard that Hurricane Charley was going to hit Florida’s west coast, she began looking for ways she could lend a hand.
“I have always been interested in volunteer work,” said Rogers, who first looked into volunteering for the District’s… Read more
The word “resiliency” can be described as the ability to recover quickly from disasters and adapt to future conditions. The word also refers to building defenses against the impacts of climate change.
Coastal Florida is vulnerable to impacts from climate change, which may include temperature extremes, intensified storms, increased flooding and sea level rise. West-central Florida has already seen some of these adverse impacts, and projections show the impacts… Read more
As Tropical Depression 13 approaches Florida, the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has activated to Level 2 and has begun preparing for potential emergency operations. It is important for staff to stay informed as the storm could potentially bring tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall by Monday.
We will make every effort to communicate information to employees in the following ways:
- Internal Communications Emails:… Read more
A pirate obsessed with water resources will be looking for a few good “mateys” at World Rivers Day Fest, Saturday Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.Captain Brackish will talk to his new friends about his three main water concerns – conservation, pollution and monitoring.Water monitoring is one of the key topics at World Rivers Day.The first 200 attendees will receive water friendly care packages… Read more
As Tropical Depression Fred approaches Florida, the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is monitoring the storm and is expected to activate tomorrow. It is important for staff to stay informed as the storm could potentially impact our region this weekend.
We will make every effort to communicate information to employees in the following ways:
- Internal Communications Emails: Employees should monitor their emails for… Read more
Your Questions Answered December 2022Q: Why do I need a permit to construct a water well?A: A well construction permit is required before installation of a water well within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors to meet rigid safety and durability standards and protect the groundwater resource.Q: Does it matter what part of the District… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District manages lands under its stewardship for the protection of water resources and natural systems through the application of effective, efficient and fiscally responsible land management practices. The purposes and attributes for which the lands were acquired provide the foundation for designating the appropriate land use and management strategies on the lands. As stewards of more than 343,000 acres of land within the its 16-county… Read more
Residents have a new resource for water conservation.The District has launched the new Water 101 website where residents can get water conservation tips for both inside and outside their home. Whether someone is new to the area or lived in Florida for decades, the site offers a variety of ways residents can save both water and money. The site is divided into easy… Read more
Above left: A certified custom riverfront home in Hernando County. Right: Governing Board Member Ron Oakley, right, and Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader, left, help Ricky Chiles break ground on a Florida Water Star℠ Gold home.
The Florida Water Star℠ Gold (FWSG) program is certifying more homes and getting more builders involved in the… Read more
Your Questions Answered
June 2022
Q: What is reclaimed water?
A: Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater which can be used for irrigation and other uses to extend our water supplies. Reclaimed water is delivered through purple pipes, which you have probably seen in your community.
Q: What are some of the ways reclaimed water is used?
A: Reclaimed water is used to irrigate crops, residential lawns, schools,… Read more
Your Questions Answered
January 2020
The Weeki Wachee River has been a popular site for recreational activities for many years. Recently, both public and private stakeholders agreed to take a closer look at what steps should be taken now to ensure the waterway is protected for years to come. Randy Smith, Natural Systems & Restoration Bureau Chief for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explains the results of the recently… Read more
Eric Layton, sales executive, shows Zep Superior Solutions’ GreenLink products to David Otto, Buyer 2; and Ralph Tack, fleet services manager.
The District allowed Zep Superior Solutions to hold an open house at the Brooksville headquarters to demonstrate its GreenLink cleaning products.
General Services staff, who purchase cleaning products, were invited to learn about the company’s GreenLink products, which are certified by Green Seal, EcoLogo and Design for… Read more
Three area homes certified as "Florida Water StarSM Gold(Florida Water Star Gold)":/conservation/florida_water_star_gold by the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ won "Aurora Awards(Southeast Building Conference Aurora Awards)":http://www.theauroras.com for their water saving features at the 2010 "Southeast Building Conference(Southeast Building Conference & Green Building Show)":http://www.sebcshow.com in Orlando… Read more