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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…

Your Questions Answered November 2020Q: 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 characteristic of…

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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is going for the “gold” when it launches its Florida Water Star Gold (FWSG) certification program March 25. The premier event will be at 10 a.m. at Glencairn Cottages, a new development in downtown Dunedin.FWSG is a voluntary certification program for builders. It encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as water quality benefits from best…

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/,…

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 second public open house at the newly acquired Three Sisters Springs property on Dec. 11, 2010, from 8 a.m. to noon.More than 580 people attended the first open…

May 2024Q: 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, golf courses and parks. It’s also…

Ken Harrison, Carlton family friend and member of the Peace River Basin Board, led guests on a tour to highlight the property’s diverse habitats. More than 12,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands in Sarasota County that have been part of a family ranch since 1947 will remain natural, thanks to an agreement among the family, the District and Sarasota County. In December 2007, the District and Sarasota County purchased a conservation easement over 7,…

Residents who irrigate their lawns are encouraged to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.” During the months of 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 visual clues: •…

A How-to for Installing a Rain BarrelBenefits

• Supplement irrigation and save money over time
• Reduce stormwater runoff which can lead to reduced levels of pesticides and fertilizers in our water
• Help reduce the amount of water that may settle around the foundation of your home

Uses for Collected Water

• Connect to a soaker hose (with the pressure-reducing washer removed)
• Fill a watering can and hand-water plants, flower beds…

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…

With the growing popularity of home improvement shows, the Southwest Florida Water Management District believes it has found a way to promote Florida-Friendly landscaping.The District is cooperating in “Curb Appeal,” a contest created by Cox Radio for Stanek Windows. One homeowner will win home and landscaping improvements, including up to $5,000 in new windows and a front yard makeover of up to a $10,000 value using Florida-Friendly plants and landscaping techniques.“The…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is announcing the recipients of the 2005 Community Education Grant Program. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $107,667.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation,…

What are minimum flows and minimum water levels (MFLs)?In short, an MFL sets a limit on how much water can be withdrawn from various water resources to prevent significant harm occurring to those resources or the ecology of the area.What does “significant harm” mean?The Florida legislature did not define the term ‘significant harm.’ However, the District has developed criteria for significant harm to various types of water resources. The…

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…

December 2024Q: What is FARMS?A: The Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems, or FARMS program for short, is designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water quantity, water quality and natural systems BMPs to conserve groundwater use and protect water quality in the springs. The program is an agricultural cost-share reimbursement program that reduces groundwater withdrawals from the Upper…

Explore Florida’s Natural Wonders During Florida Hiking MonthFebruary is Florida Hiking Month, the perfect time to lace up your boots and hit the trails! With cooler weather and stunning landscapes, there’s no better season to explore the Sunshine State’s natural beauty. This year, we’re celebrating Florida’s hiking opportunities while highlighting the unique experiences these trails offer.

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,…