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There are several different ways to categorize Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional water use. The accepted use of the term ICI refers only to the nonresidential, public supply customers and excludes multifamily, residential uses. This information was collected in 1997 .  Manufacturer This St. Petersburg manufacturer could achieve potential water savings of 50% by following these recommendations: Bathroom retrofits

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Water Quality Basics Water quality is a description of the condition of water, similar to how we refer to our health to describe the condition of the human body. Water quality can refer to the chemical, physical and biological condition of water. It also includes evaluating whether water is safe to be used for a specific purpose like drinking, recreation or to support wildlife. You can’t tell much about the quality of water simply by looking at it. In… Read more

Your Questions Answered October 2022 Q: What is a water control structure? A: The primary purpose of the District’s water control structures is to manage the flow of water. Water control structures vary greatly in size and are used for multiple purposes. The District’s water control structures can be classified into three main categories: flood control, salinity barriers, and water conservation structures. These… Read more

Your Questions Answered May 2019 The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is preparing for a heightened risk of severe rain events, flooding and storm damage.  Jerry Mallams, Operations & Land Management Bureau Chief, explains how the District works to prepare for the storm season by minimizing flood risks throughout the 16-county region. Q:  What… Read more

The District’s Regional Water Supply Plan assesses the projected water demands and potential sources of water to meet demands over a 20-year period. The Plan is updated every five years, in accordance with Section 373.709, Florida Statutes. Why We Do It The 2020 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… 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

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!"…

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In today's environmentally-conscious world, conserving water is not just a choice, it's a responsibility. Your landscape presents many opportunities to contribute to water conservation efforts, while also enhancing the beauty and sustainability of your outdoor space. Here are some effective strategies to reduce water use in your landscape. For more information to better understand your irrigation system, click on the tiles below.

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

 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

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

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

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

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 division director, Más served for 14… Read more

January 2025Q: Why should homeowners skip a week of irrigation in the winter?A: According to research by the University of Florida, grass only needs one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days in the winter. That means you can skip a week of irrigation in the cooler months. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed. It’s important… 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