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Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order remains in effect DistrictwideThe Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to extend one-day-per-week watering restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties until July 1. This extension mirrors the existing water shortage order currently in effect for Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake… Read more

Residents Urged to “Skip a Week” of Irrigation During Cooler Months The District’s Governing Board voted in December to modify the tightened turfgrass restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, which will allow builders to sod and residents to replace lawns under a specific set of conditions. The move comes after District staff met with members of the sod industry to discuss solutions to the extreme water shortage in the Tampa Bay area and the… Read more

Top: Ryan Bradley, 8, works on the butterfly garden. Bottom: Christine Owen, Tampa Bay Water water quality assurance officer, led the troop on a tour of the Tampa Bay Water Seawater Desalination Plant (below). Brownie Troop 1373 took an active role in learning about the environment and how to protect it as they worked toward earning the Governor’s “Serve to Preserve” badge. Two District employees, Christy Aulicino,… Read more

"The Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) invites the public to a workshop on Wednesday, August 13 held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, located at 2902 W. Bearss Ave in Tampa. The purpose of the workshop is to allow for public comment on proposed minimum and guidance levels for Lakes Hanna, Keene and Kell; the existing minimum and guidance levels for Lake Stemper; and structure operational… Read more

As the powerful blast of water rocketed across the mound, the large pile of dirt covered with invasive plants disappeared within a matter of minutes. The District has turned water into a power tool to help restore wetlands and improve water quality as part of the ongoing Feather Sound Tidal Wetland Restoration Project. District contractors used specialized fire hoses to hydroblast spoil mounds, which were created in the mid-1900s when ditches were dug along the coast to… Read more

Did you know that a three-person household can save 675 gallons of water a month by simply turning off the faucet when brushing teeth and shaving?Making these kind of simple changes to your daily routine make a big difference. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District is sharing its top outdoor and indoor water-saving tips during Water Conservation Month.Outdoor tips

• A garden hose without a shutoff nozzle can waste up to 530 gallons of water in…

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District has revised and extended the water shortage emergency order for the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority to protect the drinking water supply for more than 250,000 residents. The order is now scheduled to expire on October 26, 2008 unless it is rescinded or extended by District’s Governing Board or executive director. The order was slated to expire June 25, 2008.The executive order signed Wednesday will… Read more

Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order remains in effect DistrictwideThe Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to extend one-day-per-week watering restrictions again for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties until September 1. This also includes the existing water shortage order currently in effect for Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and… Read more

District land managers plan to hold a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population. Prospective hunters can purchase permits for Phase I hunts beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 3, on the District’s WaterMatters.org/HogHunts. Permits will be available on a first come, first serve basis until they are sold out. The cost is $75 for each… Read more

  The drowning of thousands of chickens at several Masaryktown chicken farms was one of the catalysts for the creation of the District. From devastating flooding caused by hurricanes to severe droughts to an unprecedented freeze, major weather events have played an important role in shaping the District’s policies and procedures during the last 50 years… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is hosting an online webinar to discuss the Cooperative Funding Initiative (CFI) for fiscal year 2026. During the webinar, District staff will review the application process, discuss policy and program changes, and answer specific project-related questions. The webinar is open to the public and anyone thinking of applying for cooperative funding is encouraged to attend. All attendees must register ahead of time using… Read more

From left: Sammy Malone, WYME Trailblazers; Fritz Musselmann. land resources director; Merrill Firmani and Elizabeth Shupe, South Creek Equestrian Riders. Two young adults, two campground hosts and an equestrian group who participate in the District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program have been recognized by the President of the United States. These volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service Award at the January Governing Board meeting. The award,… Read more

The District recently launched a campaign to encourage residents who irrigate their lawns to skip a week of watering during December, January and February. The “Skip a Week” campaign was developed based on research from the University of Florida, which determined that grass doesn’t need to be watered every week during the cooler months. In fact, one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. “Residents should water only when their… Read more

Top: This nearby stormwater treatment system is an example of how the Sawgrass Lake Restoration Project will appear upon completion. Above left: Matt Preston (left), District Surface Water Improvement and Management Program engineer, discusses the Sawgrass Lake Restoration Project with a member of the public. Above center: Sawgrass Lake Park is a natural habitat for a variety of animals, including alligators. Above right: The Sawgrass Lake Park boardwalk offers guests a… Read more

West-central Florida has had an abnormally wet winter and spring, but water conservation is as important as ever. The area is still recovering from a four-year drought, and lake levels are still low. The District’s Governing Board recently extended Modified Phase II water shortage restrictions to help the region in its drought recovery and keep the subject of … Read more

At the final budget hearing on Sept. 28, the Governing Board adopted a total fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget of $279.8 million and a millage rate of 0.3770 mill for the Districtwide General Fund. The approved budget is $19.1 million, or 6.4 percent, lower than the FY2010 budget, continuing a downward trend that began with FY2009. The $19.1 million decrease in the budget from FY2010 brings the District budget down to levels last seen in FY2005, when the budget was $279.3… Read more

Five counties within the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s region are now under a Modified Phase III water shortage order due to below-normal rainfall this winter. The District’s Governing Board voted last month to declare the Phase III order for northern counties in the District’s region, which are: Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, and Sumter as well as the City of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County. A Modified Phase I alert remains in effect for the… Read more

Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties will be limited to once-per-week lawn watering beginning Dec. 1The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Governing Board voted today to declare a Modified Phase I Water Shortage due to ongoing dry conditions throughout the region and increasing water supply concerns. The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is opening its doors and welcoming those interested in helping protect the region’s water resources by hosting a career and internship fair at its Brooksville office. The District employs individuals and has internship opportunities from across a wide variety of disciplines, including administrative, business and finance, trades work, mechanical, heavy equipment operation, well drilling, natural sciences and engineering,… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is opening its doors and welcoming those interested in helping protect the region’s water resources by hosting a career and internship fair at its Tampa office. The District employs individuals and has internship opportunities 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… Read more