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Water plays an important role in our lives. Because we live in a state surrounded by so much water, we often forget about the importance of conservation. All of us can become better at saving water. Have your class pledge to save at least 10 gallons of water per day by using the pledge to the right and we will send you a free conservation challenge kit! Each kit includes a class set of:

• Water Conservation pledge cards
• "Save Water We Do!"… Read more

The 2010 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) is an assessment of projected water demands and potential sources of water to meet these demands in the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) from 2010 through 2030. The RWSP consists of an executive summary and four geographically based volumes that correspond to the District’s four designated water supply planning regions (Northern, Tampa Bay, Heartland and Southern). The RWSP provides a framework for future… Read more

Overview Applicants will be asked to break this down in more detail in the application. Students will begin this grant project by developing a deeper understanding of the importance of clean, fresh water for humans and wildlife. Through in-classroom activities, students will learn about the source of our fresh water in west-central Florida and the importance of water conservation. This will include viewing SWFWMD’s… Read more

Your Questions Answered February 2022 Q: What is water quality and why is it important? A: Water quality is a description of the condition of water. Water quality can refer to the chemical, physical and biological condition of water, including the suitability of the water to be used for a specific purpose like drinking, recreation or support of wildlife. The quality of our water is important because it has a direct impact on people… Read more

Your Questions Answered May 2022 Q:  What does the District do to prepare for hurricane season? A:  Year-round, the District operates 85 water-control structures in its 16-county area. These structures assist with flood protection, manage lake water levels and prevent saltwater from flowing up freshwater streams and creeks. To prepare for hurricane season, staff conduct annual hurricane readiness checks of all the District’s… Read more

May 2023 Q:  What does the District do to prepare for hurricane season? A:  Year-round, the District operates 84 water control structures in its 16-county area. These structures assist with flood protection, manage lake water levels and prevent saltwater from flowing up freshwater streams and creeks. To prepare for hurricane season, staff conduct annual hurricane readiness checks of all the District’s structures to ensure they… Read more

The District is one of five regional agencies directed by state law to protect and preserve water resources within its boundaries. Established in 1961 to operate and maintain several large flood protection projects, the District’s responsibilities have expanded to include managing water supply and protecting water quality and the natural systems — rivers, lakes, wetlands and associated uplands. Origin and Evolution The Southwest Florida Water Management District (… Read more

 The Heartland Planning Region covers approximately 2,569 square miles and includes Hardee County and those portions of Highlands and Polk counties within the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Land uses in the region are diverse and include highly urbanized areas along the I-4 corridor in Polk County, extensive citrus groves along the Lake Wales Ridge, diverse agricultural lands in Hardee County and a large area dominated by strip mining for… Read more

Water Quality DataWater quality data are categorized under two major resource types — groundwater and surface water.Groundwater Quality Data provide information on existing groundwater quality conditions and water quality trends within the District’s groundwater resources, including springs. They also improve the District’s understanding of groundwater quality concerns, support development of watershed management priorities and plans, and… Read more

During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every 2 to 3 days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off your irrigation system, and turn it back on when needed. Follow these tips when you "watch the weather, wait to water": Water only when your yard needs it

• The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these visual clues:
  … Read more

Regulation Division Director As director of the Regulation Division, Alba Más oversees all District regulatory programs including water use, well construction and environmental resource permitting. This includes all related compliance and enforcement activities. Más also oversees the District’s water shortage and year-round water conservation programs. Prior to becoming… Read more

Land and water are forever linked by Florida’s natural water cycles. Lands surrounding lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries serve as natural buffers to filter out pollution before it reaches the nearest water body. Undeveloped land can also allow for water recharge to the aquifer in some areas and water storage during major storm events. The Southwest Florida Water Management District and other agencies and governments purchase conservation lands to… Read more

Introduction You can’t tell much about the quality of water simply by looking at it; most pollutants are invisible to our eyes. And since water is such a vast network (made up of rivers, springs, creeks, swamps, estuaries, wetlands, lakes, bays, etc.), water quality can be difficult to test. Explore the links above to find out more about the history of water testing, pollution, the different tools used to test water, and how you can get involved and even test the… Read more

Fixing leaks and installing a few inexpensive water-saving devices in your home could save up to 20,000 gallons of water each year.If you use utility or county water, your efforts could cut your monthly water and sewer bill in half. Unless your house was built after 1995, you probably have pre-conservation era plumbing that guzzles water. Fixing leaks and replacing old plumbing fixtures with water-saving models are two easy ways to conserve water and save money at the same… Read more

District Rules - 40D F.A.C.

• 40D-1 - Procedural
• 40D-2 - Water Use Permits
• 40D-3 - Regulation of Wells… Read more

1. Summary

Our grant will continue the flower, herb and vegetable gardening we started two years ago in containers by transitioning to in-ground gardening utilizing drip irrigation. Students in our Enrichment Learning Program — grades three, four and five — will continue to maintain this project by preparing, planting, maintaining and harvesting produce. As part of the process students will prepare the ground, plan and setup a drip irrigation… Read more

1. Summary

This grant is being written on behalf of three overlapping groups of students: AP Environmental Science (APES) students, AP Biology students, and members of our Keep Our School Beautiful Club (KOSB), which focuses on environmental stewardship. As part of a collaborative learning unit, students will investigate water quality throughout the Hillsborough River Watershed by developing a data profile of water quality as it moves through natural… Read more

 The Southern Planning Region encompasses approximately 2,465 square miles, covering all of DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties and the portion of Charlotte County that lies within the District. Land-use types range from urban/built-up areas such as the cities of Bradenton and Sarasota to predominantly agricultural land uses in the inland portions of Charlotte and Manatee counties. This planning region is located within the… Read more

Your Questions Answered December 2019 Florida’s climate makes it ideal for growing a wide variety of crops, which makes the state’s agricultural industry one of the strongest in the country. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) believes working with the agricultural community to conserve water through our Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems or FARMS program is essential to help ensure future water supplies.… Read more