Search Content

A Polk County builder and landscaper are being recognized for incorporating water conservation and water-wise landscaping into a model home’s design with the county’s first Water-Wise Landscape Award.Tapia Construction and McDowell Landscape Services took first place for the Leonardo IV model in the Polk County Fall Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is being held through Oct. 28, 4 6 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. 6 p.m. on the weekend. Visitors can see the model at… Read more

 Clockwise from top left: Chair Todd Pressman; Vice Chair Ronald E. Oakley; Secretary Hugh M. Gramling; Treasurer Sallie Parks. Two Governing Board members are moving into new leadership roles this year, while two others have been given their first opportunity to serve as officers. Todd Pressman was unanimously elected by his peers in May to serve as the District’s Governing Board chair. Pressman served as the Board secretary and vice chair before being… Read more

Jason DiBattista, District tradesworker, inspects the sprinkler heads at the District each month, cleaning in and around them. The District’s rain sensor device overrides the irrigation timer if there has been enough rain. Making sure your irrigation system is operating effectively and efficiently is always important, but it is even more critical during periods of drought when water restrictions are tighter. Here are a few simple ways to check your irrigation… Read more

Charlotte CountyRestriction InfoReport ViolationsCharlotte County(941) 764-4300(941) 764-4309Punta Gorda(941) 575-3339(941) 639-4111Citrus CountyRestriction InfoReport… Read more

10-year project scheduled for completion in OctoberThe Southwest Florida Water Management District is inviting the media to tour the restored lake and spoil disposal area of the Lake Panasoffkee restoration project on Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 from 9 a.m. to noon.The $26.9 million project was designed to restore Lake Panasoffkee’s historic fish bedding areas, restore the historic lake shoreline and improve navigation of the third largest lake in west-central Florida. When… Read more

Ron Oakley, his wife, Tamara, and their daughters Ashley and Hannah Mae. For Ronald Eugene Oakley, “Your word is who you are. Be honest, truthful and treat people right.” Ron believes in making meaningful connections to people, to the land and to his faith. Born in Dade City, his Christian upbringing shaped the man he has become. His mother, Mae Belle Oakley, set a wonderful example for Ron to follow as she did volunteer work at the First Baptist Church and… Read more

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Executive Director Brian Armstrong has received the Florida Association for Water Quality Control (FAWQC) 2022 Wade Hopping Leadership Award. Named for a true leader and pioneer in the development of Florida water policy, the award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding professional who oversees policies and/or personnel in the area of water resources and is dedicated to managing, improving, and protecting… Read more

Two Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) projects received funding from the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) conservation cost-share program. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) will provide $151,758 to pay for these projects. The following projects, located in Polk County, are estimated to save approximately 49,500 million gallons per day:

• The Polk Regional Water Cooperative’s rebate program will offer various…

Read more

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Jack Bispham and Seth Weightman to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board. Bispham represents Manatee County and Weightman represents Pasco County. Bispham, of Myakka City, is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Florida. Bispham is appointed to a four-year term. Weightman, of Dade City, is municipal services manager with… Read more

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to "watch the weather, wait to water" during the summer months of June, July, August and September.According to research by the University of Florida, an average of three-quarters of an inch of water every three to five days is enough to replenish grass during the summer. West-central Florida receives… Read more

table(webalert). |Who:|The Florida House Foundation of Sarasota, The Community Housing Trust, Dale Lewis Construction and 30 local workers, the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us, the Florida Solar Energy Center, The University of Florida IFAS Extension, and Dwell Green.||*What:*|Open house for the first Neighborhood Stabilization Program home to receive a "Florida Water StarSM Gold(Florida… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved a water use permit that will allow Oldsmar to withdraw an average of 2.7 million gallons per day of brackish ground water to meet its needs.Under the previous permit, the City purchased water from St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Utilities to supply all of its potable water demand.This water permit allows Oldsmar to continue purchasing water until the treatment facility is permitted by the… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored four outstanding Manatee County projects that focused on water resources education. A total of 27 projects were recognized during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Lake Mirror Complex in Lakeland.The Manatee County recipients are listed below. Manatee County is in the District’s Manasota Basin, which also includes Sarasota County.Gail Scout with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,… Read more

Governor Rick Scott appointed Mark Taylor, Michelle Williamson and re-appointed Bryan Beswick to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board. Taylor represents Hernando and Marion Counties, Williamson represents Hillsborough County and Beswick represents Desoto, Hardee and Highlands Counties. Beswick, 49, of Arcadia, is a grove manager with Premier Citrus Management LLC. Beswick received his bachelor's degree from Florida Southern College. He is… Read more

Please read these important details: 

• If requesting Splash! grant funds to support an on-site or virtual field trip, please select a program (not just location) from this list.
• Field trip locations must be one hour or less drive time from your school. Notice the counties listed in parenthesis next to the field trip programs. This indicates that most schools within that county are likely to meet the travel requirement.  
• Notice the grade…

Read more

Governor Rick Scott reappointed Jeffrey M. Adams and Ed Armstrong and appointed Scott Wiggins to the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board. Adams and Armstrong represent Pinellas County and Wiggins represents Hillsborough County. Adams, of St. Petersburg, is board chairman and an attorney and partner with Abbey, Adams, LLP. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma and earned a Juris Doctor from… Read more