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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) acquires lands for the conservation and protection of the water and water-related resources, including lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries. These conservation lands serve as natural filters improving water quality, storing and retaining flood waters and helping recharge our aquifers. They also are home to many native plants and animals. The District is required to maintain a balance between public access,…

While the "Southwest Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ encourages water conservation year round, there is extra emphasis each April for Water Conservation Month. April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. With 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water: INDOOR•Only run your washing machine and…

While the "Southwest Water Management District ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ encourages water conservation year round, there is extra emphasis each April for Water Conservation Month. April is traditionally one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. With 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water: INDOOR•Only run your washing machine and…

We’re halfway through Water Conservation Month, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) encourages residents to do their part to save water in and around their homes. Here’s more water saving tips to lower your monthly water bill and save hundreds of gallons of water:

• Ensure rain sensors are operating properly. Irrigating during or after significant rainfall is a major cause of outdoor water waste and can cost you money.
• …

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for Temple Terrace.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities for the city. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 5,098,000 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 5,150,000 gpd, which is an increase of 52,000 gpd.The quantity was increased to meet the potable water demands of the city through 2018.The permit is…

Water is restless; it likes to move on a constant journey known as the water cycle. Gravity makes it flow downhill, off your roof, into creeks, down rivers and even over giant waterfalls. Some water soaks into the ground through percolation, but most of it ends up filling the oceans, which cover over two-thirds of the planet. The water cycle doesn’t end in the oceans though. Water at the sea’s surface is able to…

We're halfway through Water Conservation Month, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) encourages citizens to do their part to save water in and around their homes. Here's more water saving tips to lower your monthly water bill and save hundreds of gallons of water:

• Ensure rain sensors are operating properly. Irrigating during or after significant rainfall is a…

During the dry season, many homeowners are tempted to over-water their lawns and gardens. The Southwest Florida Water Management District would like to remind homeowners that more water is not the answer to their landscaping dilemmas.“Proper irrigation will conserve water and maintain a beautiful Florida-friendly landscape,” said Lou Kavouras, District deputy executive director.Make sure your sprinklers are watering the lawn, not the driveway and street and…

April is Water Conservation Month and a great time to improve your home without incurring the high cost of remodeling.Each week the Southwest Florida Water Management District is providing a few simple water conservation tips that the average resident can use. This week the focus is on checking for leaks and retrofitting your fixtures.Leak DetectionA dripping sink faucet can waste up to 30 gallons of water per day and a leaky toilet can waste up to 100 gallons of water per…

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? You might have poured it from a tap or bought it at the store, but it had to come from somewhere before that. Any guesses? The ocean? That would be a good guess because the oceans contain most of earth’s water, about 97%! But would you drink a glass of seawater? No! The salt would make you sick. We need fresh water. Not just any fresh water though. Did you know most of the world’s fresh water is frozen…

Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater and can be used for irrigation and other uses to extend our water supplies.Our RoleThe District works with local utilities and water users to maximize the beneficial use of reclaimed water as an alternative water supply. The use of reclaimed water helps meet current and future water supply needs in the region and is a vital component of the District’s…

These hands-on activities will help your students learn about water resources.Water Cycle   Water Use and Conservation       Wetlands   Summer Activities Others        

A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast.Watershed BasicsWe all live in a watershed and if you live near a spring, you live in a springshed.Watersheds are defined by the way water flows across the land and are shaped by features and elevations on the surface of the land. …

In addition to groundwater, Florida also has many different surface water bodies. Surface waters are those found above ground. In Florida, that includes around 7,700 lakes, 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 700 springs! Surface waters are home to many different types of plants and animals. They also provide a place for people who live in Florida, or come to visit, to enjoy many recreational activities, such as swimming, kayaking,…

What Is Stormwater Runoff? In Florida, stormwater runoff occurs during or after a rainfall event. Stormwater from the rain flows over impervious, or hard, surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots and roofs, where it is unable to percolate (filter or seep) into the ground. This unfiltered water then reaches our neighborhood streams, ponds, lakes, bays, wetlands and oceans. It can even make its way into…

Recycled Water – Safely Supplying Florida’s Future. What is Potable Reuse?Potable reuse refers to highly treated recycled water from various sources people can use for drinking, cooking or bathing.Is Recycled Water Safe for People to Drink?Yes. This type of recycled water uses proven technology to make the water safe. The water meets or is a higher quality than strict state and federal drinking water …

As Operations bureau chief, Jerry Mallams is responsible for overseeing a wide range of activities, including structure operations, land management, construction and data collection. He oversees the 85 District-owned flood control and water conservation structures and canal rights-of-way within the 16-county area. In addition, he oversees the maintenance of 271,000 acres of District conservation lands. His bureau provides construction services for hydrologic restoration…

Improving Water Quality Through Well Plugging Every day, millions of gallons of water are contaminated or wasted throughout the Southwest Florida Water Management District by free-flowing, improperly constructed, deteriorated or abandoned artesian wells.Many of these wells were built before current well construction standards were established. Therefore, many of the wells:

• Do not have enough casing and expose several aquifers of varying water quality to one…

Next weekend Hillsborough County adults will have the opportunity to see what their kids have been enjoying in their schools for years.Stages Productions will perform two free, public shows of “Water Pigs,” a live, interactive water resource and conservation theatre presentation. The first performance is Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at the Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, located at 619 Vonderberg Drive in Brandon. The second performance is Saturday,…