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Chassahowitzka Property Offers Much to Do at an Outstanding Waterway Camping, hiking, boating, freshwater and saltwater fishing; a full range of outdoor activities are available at the District’s Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps property in southwestern Citrus County. Purchased in the early 1990s, the…

 A variety of plant communities occur on the property, including floodplain swamp and oak scrub along the Withlacoochee River and longleaf pine turkey oak sandhills occurring in upland areas. Recovering stands of oak scrub scattered amid the sandhill support the threatened Florida scrub-jay.In addition to natural resources, the property supported a rich historical past. The preserve is named after Seminole leader H‏álpata Tastanaki (Chief Alligator) who, along with…

The best and brightest minds in water reuse from around the world will converge in Tampa this week to take part in the 22nd Annual WateReuse Symposium, which focuses on water reuse and desalination.More than 700 representatives are expected to attend the symposium, which is being held Sept. 9-12 at the Waterside Marriott. This is the first time the WateReuse Association has held its annual event in the Tampa Bay area. The association is a non-profit organization whose…

Left: Randy Freeman, civil engineering technician from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, works with the District to save farmers money and protect water resources. Above: The pond with the pump house is part of the plan the AGSWM team recommended for a strawberry field in Plant City. Because farmers have a unique set of surface water challenges, the District has developed a regulatory assistance exemption program…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Crystal River recently signed an agreement for a project to improve water quality within Kings Bay.The project involves constructing a stormwater treatment system that will treat runoff from Kings Bay Plaza, a large commercial center. Untreated stormwater runoff from the center currently enters a canal that discharges directly into Kings Bay, which is a priority water body of the District’s Surface Water…

Don’t allow your water bill to drain additional money from your restaurant’s profits. Many water-saving tips take little effort or expense, while some require a financial investment that often pays back over time. Regardless of your restaurant’s size, there are simple low-cost steps to save water and money.Educate Your Staff and GuestsConservation at your restaurant starts with you, but management can’t do it alone. It is important to share best management practices with…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recognized two leaders in landscape education for their efforts to teach residents and landscape professionals about the connection between their landscape and protection of the water resources. The awards were presented Wednesday at the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.

• Dr. Terril Nell, director of the University of Florida’s Center for Landscape…

Above left: A certified custom riverfront home in Hernando County. Right: Governing Board Member Ron Oakley, right, and Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader, left, help Ricky Chiles break ground on a Florida Water Star℠ Gold home. The Florida Water Star℠ Gold (FWSG) program is certifying more homes and getting more builders involved in the…

Sebring Homeowners Get Irrigation Recommendations The District’s Peace River Basin Board partnered with the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District to help homeowners improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems. The pilot project brought a mobile irrigation lab to homeowners residing in the city of Sebring. The lab is evaluating residential irrigation systems and developing customized recommendations on irrigation equipment, management…

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 and the City of Crystal River recently signed an agreement for another project that will improve water quality within Kings Bay.The project will construct a stormwater treatment system for runoff from Crystal Center, a large commercial center located just west of the intersection of U.S. 19 and S.E. 5th Terrace. Untreated stormwater runoff from the center currently enters a canal that discharges directly into Kings Bay, which…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently recognized six Polk County projects as outstanding school, community grant or volunteer programs that focus on water resources education. A total of 52 projects were recognized during the October 7 Reflect, Connect, Celebrate Water Resources Education Conference at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs.To select the awardees, District staff reviewed grants applied for by teachers…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Safety Harbor recently signed an agreement for a project to prevent erosion and improve water quality within the Mullet Creek watershed.The watershed covers approximately one square mile within the city and includes the Lincoln Highlands subdivision and the Harbor Lake industrial park. The work will begin at Harbor Lake and extend downstream to the 9th Avenue North crossing.During the past 50 years, development…

 Stormwater SystemsA stormwater system is designed to collect and manage runoff from rainwater. They are specifically designed to help prevent flooding and remove pollutants from the water, and they are required for most new development since the 1980s. When rainwater lands on rooftops, parking lots, streets, driveways and other hard surfaces, the rainfall that doesn’t soak into the ground is called stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff carries pollutants such as litter…