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A cooperatively funded project between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pinellas County will determine how much pollution is entering Pinellas Countys impaired waters.The study, which will estimate pollutant loads and yields discharged to impaired Pinellas County waters, will help the District and the County with efforts to improve the water quality in Pinellas County watersheds and ultimately Tampa Bay. To compute estimates of annual pollutant loads,…

Local elected officials, community leaders, regional water supply authority board members, and other interested people are invited to attend a workshop in Hernando County aimed at explaining minimum flows and levels (MFLs.)The workshop, which is being hosted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Hernando County Utilities Department and the Hernando County Groundwater Guardian Team, will be held Wednesday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hernando County…

Spring has sprung in Florida and that means gardeners and proud homeowners are busy sprucing up their lawns and gardens.By following Florida-friendly lawn and garden practices, “weekend warriors” can spend less time working on their lawns and more time enjoying the fruits of their labor.Fertilizers applied improperly can run off lawns into local springs, streams, lakes, rivers, and, ultimately into the gulf or ocean and harm our water resources. Proper…

Groups and individuals interested in applying for a Southwest Florida Water Management District community education grant are invited to attend a grant advisory session for residents who live in the area represented by the District’s Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. The area includes Pinellas County and the southern portion of Pasco County.The advisory session will be held Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. at the Countryside Library, which is located at…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is celebrating February as Florida Hiking Trails Month by inviting the public to "Get Outside!" and explore the more than 850 miles of hiking trails on District lands.The District has organized two "Get Outside!" guided hikes in February. District employees will guide three hikes at each property, with a maximum of 15 people on each hike. Hikers are encouraged to pre-register…

The public is invited to learn more about the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) at a public workshop Thursday. The Southwest Florida, South Florida and St. Johns River water management districts are hosting a regional water supply plan public workshop. These districts are working together along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and regional utilities to address short- and long-term water…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Little Manatee River Southfork Tract(Southfork Tract)":/recreation/hoghunt/littlemanatee.php will be temporarily closed to the public for hog hunts Jan. 17–19.Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the Southfork Tract during these dates. All of the permits for these hunts have been sold.The Southfork Tract is located at 29400 SR 62 in Duette, east of Lake Parrish.The hunt…

A Highlands County project expected to reach up to 5,000 people was recently awarded a Community Education Grant from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/. The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is intended…

A Levy County project expected to reach up to 40,000 people was awarded a $5,000 Community Education Grant from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ to educate residents on the importance of salt marshes.This year the District approved 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $120,471. This is the 14th year "Community Education Grants(Community Education Grant program)":/business/communitygrants have been available.…

Today is National Camp Day and the perfect time to reflect on the ways we can connect with the great outdoors. Whether you’re an avid camper, a hiking enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, the District offers a variety of natural spaces and activities to help you refresh and reconnect with nature.  The District provides numerous campgrounds, each…

The District’s new Governing Board Chair Randy Maggard sat down to chat about how his personal and professional experiences have influenced his decisions. He also discussed his priorities as Chair for the coming year. Maggard represents Pasco County and is vice president of Sonny’s Discount Appliances Inc. in Dade City. Maggard was appointed to the Board in October 2011. A native of Dade City, Maggard graduated from Zephyrhills High School. He went on to earn his…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is urging residents to skip their next watering day if they’ve received at least a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain today.Outdoor water use can account for up to fifty percent of residential water use and skipping a week of irrigation will help conserve our limited drinking water supplies.All 16 counties within the District are feeling the effects of the three-year drought.“Even if it is your assigned…

A reclaimed water project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Dade City is expected to offset about 300,000 gallons of potable water per day.This project will provide approximately 500,000 gallons per day (gpd) of reclaimed water to the Little Everglades Ranch for irrigating the race track area and sod farm as part of a 20-year service agreement between the city and the ranch.The project includes the design and construction of approximately 15,000…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Oldsmar will bring reclaimed water to up to 200 residents who live near the downtown area.The project includes the design and construction of more than 13,000 linear feet of reclaimed water distribution lines and the installation of an automated system that will regulate the supply of reclaimed water, allowing for more efficient use and enabling the expansion of reclaimed water service.This…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting “controlled, prescribed burns” during the rest of March and April on the District’s Weekiwachee Preserve and the Annuteliga Hammock.The Weekiwachee Preserve is approximately one mile west of Spring Hill. Approximately 300 acres of land will be burned in small, manageable units.The Annuteliga Hammock tract is approximately three miles south of Chassahowitzka. Approximately 800 acres of land…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Clearwater will bring reclaimed water to residents who live in the Skycrest area of Clearwater.The project includes the design and construction of a high-service pump station, more than 63,500 linear feet of reclaimed water transmission lines, distribution piping, and a five-million-gallon storage tank.This project will interconnect reclaimed water supplies from the city’s three waste…

Governing Board urges water conservationDespite normal rainfall in April, west-central Florida remains abnormally dry. The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board is urging residents to continue conserving the water resources.Since January 2006, the District has accumulated more than a 15-inch rainfall deficit. As a result, lake levels are below their annual low levels and rivers are flowing below normal ranges.Last month, the Governing Board declared…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently signed an agreement with Polk County Utilities for a project to create 10 million gallons of storage capacity at the county’s Northeast Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility. The expanded storage capacity will increase the reliability of the reclaimed water system to meet customers’ needs. Using reclaimed water reduces the need to use potable water for irrigation.The Polk County Utilities Northeast…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, Radio Disney and the Pier Aquarium are inviting families to participate in a variety of interactive educational activities on Saturday, October 1.The day begins at 10 a.m. at the Pier. Visitors can take part in the grand opening of the new Water Walk Exhibit. The Pier Aquarium created the colorful outdoor educational display that leads visitors along the walkway to the Pier. The District’s Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will treat hydrilla on selected areas of Lake Panasoffkee.Approximately 200 acres of the 4,000-acre Lake Panasoffkee will be treated May 9-11. Treatment involves applying the aquatic herbicide Aquathol K from the air.Maps of the treatment areas will be posted at local fish camps as well as on floating buoys…