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The Southwest Florida Water Management District, Hernando County and the developers of Hickory Hill signed an agreement to work together to bring reclaimed water to the proposed Hickory Hill community.The project includes the design, permitting and construction of a reclaimed water storage and transmission system, which will involve constructing a one-million-gallon ground storage tank, two pump stations, three lined retention ponds and 31,000 linear feet of reclaimed water…

The District has launched a new 50 percent cost share reimbursement program to support water conservation projects Districtwide. Known as WISE, the Water Incentives Supporting Efficiency program will award applicants up to $20,000 to implement projects that help reduce water use and protect the region’s water resources. WISE offers an alternative funding opportunity to water users that do not typically take part in the District’s Cooperative Funding Initiative (CFI…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), in cooperation with Hillsborough County, completed the largest habitat restoration project ever done in the history of Tampa Bay. Project BackgroundIn 2009, the District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program began working to design and construct the largest coastal restoration project ever performed for Tampa Bay. This project was a cooperative effort between SWIM and the Hillsborough County…

The purpose of the Agricultural and Green Industry Advisory Committee (AGIAC) is to provide professional and technical input into District programs and activities.  This includes regulatory programs, rule revisions, water conservation activities, water resource planning, water resource and supply development projects, research and other water resource management projects that relate to the agricultural and green industries. Subject matter considered by the…

The purpose of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) is to provide input into District programs and activities.This includes regulatory programs, rule revisions, water conservation activities, water resource planning, water resource and supply development projects, research and other water resource management projects that relate to the environment. Subject matter considered by the EAC shall relate to the statutory duties and responsibilities of the District.EAC members…

Explore the deepest wildlands of a Florida blackwater cypress swamp, or float down the crystal clear waters of a pristine spring-fed stream. District lands preserve hundreds of miles of pristine shoreline along many of the beautiful rivers and lakes in the region. Whether it is a great blue heron stalking its prey, an alligator sunning on a log or a deer getting a drink from the cool, clear waters of a spring-fed river, there are endless opportunities to view wildlife in…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rainy season and “watch the weather, wait to water.”During the summer months of July, August and September, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off the irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.The simplest way to determine if your…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Winter Haven recently signed an agreement to begin a master plan that will identify ways to use reclaimed water and conserve the groundwater supply.“The master plan will ultimately recommend how the City of Winter Haven should focus its efforts to best accomplish its goals and use its reclaimed water reuse resources from its two wastewater treatment plants,” said Tammy Antoine, District staff water conservation…

*Who:*Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, Stages Productions, kindergarten and first-grade students from Kenly Elementary School*What:*This watershed awareness week event targets grade-school students. The goal is to teach students about the Hillsborough River watershed through an interactive theatre performance about water conservation and protection. The play “Water Pigs” is a fun take-off on the classic story of the three little pigs.The presentation is…

White PapersWhite papers are authoritative reports or guides that help identify or solve a problem. White papers educate readers and help people make decisions. The District uses white paper research to synthesize research regarding barriers and benefits associated with target behaviors that influence water conservation and water quality. These white papers include programs that have been implemented promoting these behaviors along with strategy suggestions. …

TheFriends of the Dunnellon Public Library will receive a $4,550 Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District for a Florida-friendly demonstration garden.This demonstration garden and signage at the new public library will be designed by the Marion County Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) coordinator and maintained by the Friends of the Library organization. The library will offer four FYN workshops to residents and at least two…

Asks the public to help our water resources recoverThe Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted unanimously today to extend the current Water Shortage Order, which restricts lawn watering throughout the District to one-day-per-week, through Sept. 30.The Governing Board chose to extend the term of the water shortage order because impacts from the two-year drought continue despite the start of the annual rainy season. In…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement for a 652-acre parcel of land located near the Myakka River State Park, contingent upon cooperative funding with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP.)The transaction includes the property owner, the Myakkahatchee Ranch, LLC., making a 25 percent…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's executive director":http://www.watermatters.org declared an emergency order to increase "water restrictions":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/swfwmd.php including limiting lawn watering to once per week in the Tampa Bay area due to continued drought conditions.Executive Director Blake Guillory declared a "Modified Phase II emergency water shortage order":http://swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/…

Five counties within the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's ":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/16-county region are now under a Modified "Phase III":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/restrictions/phase3.php water shortage order due to below normal rainfall this winter.The District's Governing Board voted today to declare the Phase III order for northern counties in the District's region which are: Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, and Sumter as well as the City…