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Drought Mitigation Remains a Top Priority »
 Alberto Martinez, Tampa Regulation Department environmental manager, appears in the District’s Spanish language radio and television advertisements concerning water conservation and the drought. Drought efforts continue to remain a priority as the District anticipates a drier than normal spring. Despite recent rainfall, the District’s 24-month rainfall deficit is 20.9 inches below normal. As a result, river flows, groundwater levels and other hydrologic…
Homosassa River »
 Highlights
  • Homosassa Springs is the headwaters of the Homosassa River and is known as the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
  • The park serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for orphaned or injured manatees.
  • Located in Citrus County
  • 270-square-mile springshed
ChallengesThe river has numerous canals and seawalls that have had a negative impact on water quality and habitat.StrategiesThrough cooperation with other government…
Make a New Year's Resolution to Support Our Environment »
District suggests easy and fun resolution ideas that help promote water resources Are you looking for ideas for a New Year's resolution? The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has some suggestions for 2018 resolutions that will promote healthy water resources. This year, make a resolution to help promote water conservation and only water your lawn every other week in January and February. According to research by the University of…
Stormwater Ponds – Your Questions Answered »
August 2024Q:  What are stormwater ponds and why do we need them?A:  A stormwater pond is designed to collect and manage runoff from rainwater. When rainwater lands on rooftops, parking lots, streets, driveways and other hard surfaces, the rainfall that doesn’t soak into the ground (stormwater runoff) flows into your neighborhood stormwater pond through grates, pipes, shallow swales or ditches. Stormwater ponds are required for…
Low-flow toilet rebates available to Pasco County Utilities customers »
Growing public demand in Pasco County has led to a water conservation program that will provide toilet rebates of up to $100 for each high-volume toilet replaced with a low-flow model.The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Pasco County Utilities are working together to provide the toilet rebates.High-volume toilets can use three gallons or more per flush, while low-flow toilets use up to 1.6 gallons per flush.This is the first year of the two-year project. This…
Hardee County to Benefit From $4,800 Community Education Grant »
A Hardee County project expected to reach up to 2,000 people was recently awarded a Community Education Grant from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/. The overall goal of the Community Education Grant program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues including conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the "District's Basin Boards(Basin Boards)":/about/basinboards/, the program is intended to…
Early Lessons Form Core Values for New Chair »
She couldn’t help it; volunteering is in her blood. In the summer of 2000, Heidi McCree had entered a new phase in her life. She resigned from her position as executive director of the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, wanting to devote more time to her family and her newly adopted son, Alexander. Then came the call from the Governor’s Office. “Have you ever thought about being a Governing Board member?” “There was something within me … I just had to be…
Lake Tarpon »
 Highlights
  • Lake Tarpon is the largest freshwater lake in the Tampa Bay area
  • 2,534 acres of surface area
  • Designated an Outstanding Florida Water and a Fish Management Area
  • Located in Pinellas County
  • 52-square-mile watershed
ChallengesThree main challenges exist in the Lake Tarpon watershed:
  • Decline in water quality due to highly urbanized watershed inputs
  • Imbalanced fish communities
  • Increased…
Winter Haven residents may apply for low-flow toilet rebates »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the City of Winter Haven Utilities to promote water conservation by providing toilet rebates of up to $100 for each high-volume toilet replaced with a low-flow model.High-volume toilets can use three gallons or more per flush, while low-flow toilets use up to 1.6 gallons per flush.Residential customers within the Winter Haven service area are eligible to participate in the low-flow toilet rebate program. Single…
Citrus and Levy County projects receive Community Education Grants »
Two Citrus County projects that are expected to reach approximately 730 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 32 grants Districtwide. This is the 12th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant…
Volunteers Reach Out to Educate on Earth Day »
Top: Students show off their “Water Cycle in a Bag” projects. Above: Toi Basso, District senior administrative assistant, and Patty Williams, District senior revenue compliance coordinator, sign up students for a water conservation pledge at the Earth Day Expo at Challenger K–8 School of Science and Mathematics. In April, District volunteers fanned out across the region, from kindergarten classes to college campuses and from community festivals to corporate…
Rainbow River »
 Highlights
  • Home to the fourth largest spring in the state of Florida, Rainbow Springs
  • Discharges an average of 493 million gallons of water per day into the Withlacoochee River
  • Designated an Outstanding Florida Water and an Aquatic Preserve
  • Located in Marion and Citrus counties
  • 73-square-mile watershed
ChallengesThe main challenge facing Rainbow River is the rapid growth experienced within its watershed. This growth is…
District Encourages You to "Take the Pledge" »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging people to log onto its web site to take the Watershed Pledge.The Watershed Pledge was created to encourage people to make a commitment to protecting their watershed. Making simple changes in and around their home can positively impact our water resources.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. A watershed is where…
Watch the Weather, Wait to Water »
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 June, 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…
Media Alert: Webster Elementary students hold Save-A-Drop Day »
Who: Webster Elementary School teachers and studentsWhat: Save-A-Drop Day celebrates a year of studying the water cycle, watersheds and water conservation. Students will participate in a variety of hands-on environmental educational activities, including watershed model demonstrations and outdoor stations relating to appreciating our water and the plants and animals that depend on it. Students will also take the water conservation pledge.When: Tuesday, April 28, outdoor…
Marion County to benefit from three Community Education Grants »
Three Marion County projects expected to reach up to 11,000 people were awarded Community Education Grants from the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources. This year the District awarded "35 grants Districtwide(2010 Community Education Grant Projects)":http://www.swfwmd.state.…
News in Brief »
Splash! Grants Awarded to Area Schools in District This year, 94 Splash! grants were awarded across the District’s 16-county region to educate students on water resources. Splash! grant projects include student monitoring of local water quality, environmental field studies and school or community outreach campaigns designed to encourage water conservation. The goal of the Splash! school grant program is to provide teachers with funding to enhance student knowledge of…
District to Hold Virtual Public Meeting on Weekiwachee Preserve Land Management Plan »
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will hold a virtual public meeting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, to discuss updates to the Weekiwachee Preserve Land Management Plan.The District adopts land management plans to ensure its public conservation lands are being managed in ways that are consistent with Florida Statutes and the District’s mission. District lands are acquired to preserve and protect water resources and natural systems while also…
Polk County Projects Receive Community Education Grants »
Four Polk County projects that are expected to reach approximately 6,000 residents were awarded Community Education Grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These grants provide up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 38 grants Districtwide for a total of $136,598. This is the 11th year Community Education Grants have been available.The overall goal of the…