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The Southwest Florida Water Management District hasdeclared a water shortage emergency and authorized the Englewood Water District to help the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) by providing water to Charlotte County Utilities.The Authority requested the emergency authorization, in conjunction with Englewood and Charlotte County, in order to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a water shortage emergency and authorized the Englewood Water District to help the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) by providing water to Charlotte County Utilities.The Authority requested the emergency authorization, in conjunction with Englewood and Charlotte County, to temporarily offset water demand that is normally supplied exclusively by the Authority. The Authority’s…

In its ongoing effort to educate on the benefits of alternative water supplies, the District recently hosted a workshop on water reuse, which is when reclaimed water is used for a direct beneficial purpose. “Maximizing the use of reclaimed water is critical to ensuring that future generations of Floridians have adequate water supplies to meet their needs,” said Randy Maggard, Governing Board Chair.  The workshop was an opportunity for Governing Board members and…

Governing Board Chair H. Paul Senft Jr. After graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, H. Paul Senft Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where his education was put to good use. “The Air Force taught me to be a plumber,” said the new District Governing Board chair. “You could say they started me in the water business.” Paul smiled. Quiet and unassuming in appearance, Paul combines a wry sense of humor with a competitive drive to excel, a…

The Water Shortage Order, which restricts lawn watering to one-day-per-week throughout the 16 counties within the Southwest Florida Water Management District, is in effect.The restrictions apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.). The order will remain in place until July 31 unless otherwise modified or rescinded by the executive director or the District Governing Board.…

Water experts from around the state recently talked innovation as District staff highlighted a variety of projects and programs aimed at recovering and restoring water resources. The District hosted the May Technical Meeting for the Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA). The scientific organization’s mission is to promote an…

Residents who irrigate their lawns are encouraged to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.” During the months of July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these visual clues: •…

Five Polk County projects expected to reach up to 104,000 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.fl…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and "watch the weather, wait to water."During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every 2 to 3 days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ has reopened off-road bicycling and hiking trails and the parking area within the "Wilderness Park Off Road Trails System(Wilderness Park Off Road Trails System)":/recreation/areas/lh-offroadloop.html, also known as the Morris Bridge Bicycle Area.Trails were scheduled to be closed intermittently through Dec. 23 to allow staff to establish fire lines in preparation for prescribed…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Brooksville office has been certified by the Hernando County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Program as a Florida-friendly yard.The Florida-friendly yard certification recognizes landscapes that save water, reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, as well as reduce runoff and provide native habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.Work to obtain the certification began about two years ago when Jeff…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.watermatters.org is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and "watch the weather, wait to water."During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every 2 to 3 days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.The simplest way to…

Sustainability and environmental policy professionals recently gathered to talk about the state of water in Florida. Sustainable Florida hosted the forum in Sarasota to discuss issues surrounding water quality, quantity and resiliency. The District’s Executive Director Brian Armstrong spoke at the event about District programs that focus on water quality and quantity. “Water quality and quantity is extremely important to our state and I am proud to share our…

Guest speakers and songs will be featured at the 6th Annual Marion County Springs Festival, which is being held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver River State Park.A variety of experts will speak about Florida’s springs and springs protection during the festival, including Chris Zajac, an environmental scientist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Zajac will talk about the District’s projects on the Rainbow River. Other…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently approved an agreement to continue funding the St. Petersburg Toilet Replacement Program.The program, which began in 1997, is a cooperatively funded effort between the City of St. Petersburg and the District’s Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. The goal of the ninth phase of the project is to promote water conservation by providing toilet rebates of up to $100 for each high-volume toilet replaced with a low-flow…

Two areas of the District’s website were recently redesigned and enhanced with new user-friendly features. ePermitting The District’s new ePermitting website, WaterMatters.org/permits, combines the previous ePermitting and Permits and Rules webpages. “The same helpful information and features on…

A Polk County builder and landscaper are being recognized for incorporating water conservation and water-wise landscaping into a model home’s design with the county’s first Water-Wise Landscape Award.Tapia Construction and McDowell Landscape Services took first place for the Leonardo IV model in the Polk County Fall Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is being held through Oct. 28, 4 6 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. 6 p.m. on the weekend. Visitors can see the model at…

The District encourages residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rains and “watch the weather, wait to water.” During the summer months of June, July, August and September, yards need no more than 3/4 inch of water every two to three days. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and turn it back on when needed. The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these…