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Program will make reclaimed water available to more new developments »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is expanding the availability of reclaimed water to new residential developments through a new grant program aimed at builders and developers.The goal of the Grants for Reclaimed Irrigation Projects (GRIP) program, which was developed from a recommendation by the District’s Reclaimed Water Task Force, is to help offset the cost of installing reclaimed water distribution lines in new residential developments. Transmission…
Youth Education Team Trains Staff for School Outreach »
Ted Gates takes a sixth-grade school group on a tour of Gator Sink. Ted Gates, District professional geologist, recently led Polk County’s Southwest Middle School sixth-grade teachers and students on a field trip to observe a sinkhole firsthand at Gator Sink. Gates was given the opportunity to work with the school after joining the District’s Youth Education Team. Youth Education staff formed the Youth Education Team to provide training and instruction for…
Public workshop on Regional Water Supply Plan in Bartow »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a draft of an updated Regional Water Supply Plan that assesses projected water demands and identifies potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025.The updated plan also addresses the need to sustain water resources and the related natural systems, and includes estimated costs for potential projects. The current plan was developed in 2001.The challenge will be meeting growing water supply…
Public workshop on Regional Water Supply Plan in Sarasota »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a draft of an updated Regional Water Supply Plan that assesses projected water demands and identifies potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025.The updated plan also addresses the need to sustain water resources and the related natural systems, and includes estimated costs for potential projects. The current plan was developed in 2001.The challenge will be meeting growing water supply…
First Community Welcome Center Certified Florida Water Star℠ »
Starkey Ranch in Pasco County is home to the state’s first community welcome center to be certified Florida Water Star℠. The welcome center is a visitor’s first stop to get information on the new 2,400-acre master-planned community. Being certified Florida Water Star℠ means it features a water-efficient landscape, irrigation, appliances and plumbing fixtures.  For example, the welcome center has low-flow toilets, high-efficiency faucets and an ENERGY STAR…
Charlotte County teachers awarded grants for water resources education projects »
Two Charlotte County teachers and one private school teacher are among the educators who were awarded Splash! school grants through the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.This year 206 "Splash! grants(Splash! School Grants)":/education/schoolgrants were awarded to educators across "the District's 16-county region":/data/map.Mary Margaret Hull, lead communications coordinator, attributes the effectiveness of the grant…
State Legislature Budgets $15 Million for the District’s SWUCA Recovery Effort »
The Florida Legislature included $15 million in its 2008–09 state budget for the District’s West-Central Florida Water Restoration Action Plan (WRAP), which will help restore water quality and natural systems and create sustainable water supplies in the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA). “In this incredibly tight budget year, we are extremely grateful that the WRAP was funded, which will aid in the District’s efforts to recover the Southern Water Use Caution…
Governing Board Renews Tampa Bay Water Consolidated Permit »
The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard voted to renew Tampa Bay Water's 90 million-gallon-per-day northern Tampa Bay consolidated water use permit for 10 years while continuing extensive environmental monitoring.Tampa Bay Water's consolidated permit was first issued in December 1998 and is made up of 11 wellfield facilities in Pasco County as well as northern…
District declares water shortage emergency for the Hillsborough River Reservoir »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District today declared a water shortage emergency for the city of Tampa’s main water supply. Drought conditions have caused an acute water shortage within the Hillsborough River Reservoir so emergency actions are necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare.The emergency order authorizes Tampa Bay Water, the region’s wholesale water…
District honors Marion and Levy County water resources education projects »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two Marion and Levy county projects during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday.
  • Gail Mowry with the Marion County Clean Water Program was recognized for her work with the Clean Farms Initiative. This initiative addresses the issue of water quality that comes with the management of manure from…
Guidelines for Use of District Lands »
To make sure that we, as well as future generations, can enjoy quality outdoor experiences, each one of us must share the responsibility of protecting our environment. Rule Changes Effective Oct. 1: The Florida Legislature updated the 40D-9.260 Camping rules during the 2021 legislative session. These rule changes governing camping reservations on District lands will go into effect starting Oct. 1, 2021. Leave No TraceThe District supports the
Pinellas County water resources education projects honored »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored four outstanding Pinellas County water resources education projects. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.
  • Kurt Zuelsdorf, Kayak Nature Adventures owner, was recognized for his “Bringing Back the Bay” community education grant project. Through a 2007 Community Education Grant, Kayak…
Draft Regional Water Supply Plan ready for public input »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has completed a draft of an updated Regional Water Supply Plan that assesses projected water demands and identifies potential sources of water to meet those demands through the year 2025.The updated plan also addresses the need to sustain water resources and the related natural systems, and includes estimated costs for potential projects. The current plan was developed in 2001.The challenge will be meeting growing water supply…
Citrus County Home Meets Florida Water Star<SUP>SM</SUP> Gold Standard »
A Citrus County home was certified as "Florida Water StarSM Gold(Florida Water Star)":/conservation/florida_water_star by the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/.The model home is the first in Citrus County to receive the water-saving certification. Built by Rusaw Homes by Pinecrest Building Corp., the model home is located in the county's Heritage subdivision. It is equipped with water-saving appliances and fixtures…
Hydrologic Conditions »
Your Questions Answered  March 2022 Q:  Is there a rainy season and dry season in central Florida? A:  Yes, rainfall is seasonal. Our rainy season is a four-month period from June through September, with average rainfall of about 7.8 inches each month. About 60 percent of our average annual rainfall is received during that time. The higher rainfall results in rising water levels in wells, lakes, rivers and springs…
Social Research Project Summaries »
Project Summaries Project summaries provide insight into project details as well as final results of campaigns, studies, pilots and programs that the District funds.   Florida-Friendly Fertilizing 2011 Year of Study The "Florida-Friendly Fertilizing" campaign's goal was to increase District residents’ knowledge about proper fertilizing procedures and the negative aspects of over-fertilizing or failing to follow package directions. A resulting…
Highlands County pilot project to increase efficiency of Sebring irrigation systems »
The "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us "Peace River Basin Board(Peace River Basin Board)":/about/basinboards/peace.php has partnered with the "Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District(Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District)":http://www.highlandsswcd.org/ to help homeowners improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems.The pilot project involves bringing a "mobile…
Lake Thonotosassa »
 Highlights
  • Largest natural lake in Hillsborough County with a surface area of greater than 800 acres
  • Popular for recreational use as it is one of the few natural lakes in the area with public access
  • Discharges into the Hillsborough River which is used for municipal water supply for the City of Tampa
ChallengesFour main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed:
  • Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme…
District Maps - Planning Regions »
  Learn more about District Planning Regions on our Regional Water Supply Plan page.
District Study Reveals Record Seagrass Growth in Tampa Bay »
Scientists with the "Southwest Florida Water Management District's Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Program(SWIM)":/projects/swim/ recorded an 11 percent increase in seagrass growth in "Tampa Bay(SWIM Priority Water Body: Tampa Bay)":/projects/swim/tampabay.php since 2008, the largest increase in seagrass growth since the District began the seagrass mapping program. The "District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ study also shows gains in St.…