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A DeSoto County farm is the place to be to learn about water conservation and other environmentally friendly practices this April. Members of the public are invited to tour Natures Way Aquatic Farm April 27-28 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and April 29 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.Natures Way Aquatic Farm, which is located at 4899 N.W. Highway 72 in Arcadia, is an 11.5-acre environmentally friendly farm that raises edible and ornamental fish, water garden plants, wetlands…

Your Questions Answered October 2020 If you received your property tax assessments recently, you may have noticed a line item from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District.) The District manages the water resources through a variety of activities that support water supply, water quality, flood protection and natural systems. The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Budget Manager Mike Cacioppo explains how your tax dollars…

April 2025Q: What is a spring?A: A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many…

Your Questions Answered  May 2021 Florida’s population is growing with an average of 1,000 people moving to the state every day. If you’re new to Florida, you may not be familiar with the state’s water resources or how to do your part when it comes to water conservation. Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) Lead Communications Coordinator Robin Grantham shares water-related tips for life in the Sunshine State. Q: How…

Volunteers gather at the Mayor’s Beautification Program’s 22nd Annual Hillsborough River & Waterways Cleanup. District staff, Governing Board members and their families and friends were among the 1,300 volunteers at this year’s Mayor’s Beautification Program’s 22nd Annual Hillsborough River & Waterways Cleanup. The annual event is one of Tampa’s largest volunteer activities. Each year volunteers scour dozens of shoreline locations along the…

March 2024Q:  What is a spring?A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many…

Defining Moment In an effort to make conservation more “user-friendly,” the Governing Board has adopted the term “Florida-friendly” to use in the District’s landscape management outreach and education projects. Florida-friendly will replace the terms “Xeriscape™” and “water-wise.” Why the change? Two reasons: concept and consistency. While Xeriscape landscapes are defined as landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment, some people still…

The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.”  During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for…

The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.” During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these…

The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.” During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these…

The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.” During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these…

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio is planning to proclaim March 10 “Florida-friendly Landscaping Day.”This proclamation will take place in the Mayor’s office on Monday, Feb. 5 at 2:30 p.m. It is being made in conjunction with the Florida Yard Fandango, a Florida-friendly gardening event being held March 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.This is the second year homeowners and gardening enthusiasts are invited to “play in the dirt” at the Museum of Science and…

July 2024Q: What is an aquifer?A: An aquifer is a body of underground rock and/or sediment that stores water. The groundwater within an aquifer can fill the spaces between grains of sand and gravel, or it can fill the cracks and fissures in solid rock.Q: Are there different types of aquifers?A: In west-central Florida the groundwater system is comprised of three main aquifer units; the surficial aquifer, the…

Level 3 Activation – MONITORING ONLYEither a specific situation has been detected that must be monitored or a general state of monitoring exists, as during the hurricane season. The District’s Incident Commander and key Emergency Operations Organization staff monitor the situation during normal business hours and under normal operating conditions.Level 2 Activation – PARTIAL ACTIVATIONA situation expands to a point whereby the District may be adversely affected…

Your Questions Answered June 2020 We're often asked about the water resources in our area and what we do to manage and improve their water quality. Southwest Florida Water Management District Chief Water Quality Scientist Chris Anastasiou explains what water quality really means and the District’s role in managing the region’s water quality. Q: What is water quality? A: Water quality is a broad term…

Your Questions Answered July 2021 Floridians use nearly 6.4 billion gallons of water per day. With an estimated 1,000 people moving to the state daily, residents are projected to use an additional 1 billion gallons per day by 2040. That’s why exploring potable reuse, or recycled water, is one way we can help ensure there is plenty of water to meet the demand. Southwest Florida Water Management District Water Supply Manager Jay Hoecker outlines…

April 2023 Q:  What is a spring? A:  A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as…

January 2023 Q: What is vegetation management? A: Vegetation management is the targeted control of nuisance and invasive exotic vegetation. These operations are conducted on both District-owned lands and on District-managed public waterbodies. This includes the control of both aquatic vegetation, growing in or near water, and terrestrial vegetation, growing on land. Q: Why is vegetation management important…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/, the "US Fish and Wildlife Service(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)":http://www.fws.gov/, and the "Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge(Friends of Chassahowitzka)":http://friendsofchazz.org/ are holding a public open house at the newly acquired Three Sisters Springs property on "National Public Lands Day(National Public Lands Day)":http://www.publiclandsday.org/,…