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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, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a virtual joint public meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 1, to solicit stakeholder input on each District’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations.Participants can join the virtual meeting at…

!{SITE_ROOT}image/type/MaxWidth/max/300/id/909/!Region moves from critical to extreme water shortageThe Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted to reduce the water restrictions in the Tampa Bay Water service area from Modified Phase IV (or Critical) toModified Phase III (or Extreme) for potable water use.The…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of Shell and Prairie creeks June 18-21. The sites are located upstream of the Henderson Dam in Charlotte County.Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs that display treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be used…

Your Questions Answered August 2019 Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. Chris Reed, Land Management Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explains why the District’s prescribed burn efforts are critical to keeping Florida’s ecosystem in balance. Q: What is a…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a virtual joint public meeting Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. to solicit stakeholder input on each District’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations. To join the virtual meeting, please pre-register at the following link:…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday renewed and modified a water use permit (WUP) for the Floral City Water Association.The modified permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 460,000 gallons of water per day (gpd.) The new permitted quantity is 545,000 gpd, which is an increase of 85,000 gpd.The increase in quantity is based on an estimated increase in population. The permitted quantity…

Dozens of students between the ages of 9 and 18 explored District offices in April as part of the annual “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” This is the tenth year the District has participated in the nationwide event. Students spent the day learning about activities at the District and daily tasks of their parents, guardians, relatives or friends. In Brooksville, the children participated in two hands-on water resources exercises and toured six departments before…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the upcoming 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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and South Florida Water Management District have scheduled a joint public workshop to solicit stakeholder input on each District’s annual update of their priority list and schedule for the establishment of minimum flows and water levels as well as water reservations. This workshop is being held to promote consistent water resource planning in the Central Florida Water Initiative (…

Three water management districts — the Southwest Florida, South Florida and St. Johns River — are working together to meet the growing water supply needs of a five-county region in central Florida while also protecting the water and related natural resources. The water management districts approved an action plan for the Central Florida Coordination Area (CFCA), which extends into the three water management districts and includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Polk…

Your Questions Answered March 2021During the past year, we’ve come to appreciate the recreational opportunities of natural Florida like never before. The Weeki Wachee River is one of those breath-taking jewels people love to visit. This river flows about 7 miles from the headspring to where it meets the Gulf of America at Bayport in Hernando County. It’s a popular spot for kayaking and boating, but a recent study found certain recreational activities…

Tougher Restrictions Aim to Conserve Dwindling Water Supplies Faced with the impacts from an ongoing, three-year drought, the District’s Governing Board enacted its strongest water shortage restrictions in February and March to address water needs while protecting the water resources. Seven of the counties within the District’s 16-county region are now under critical or extreme water shortage alerts. The District identifies four possible levels of water shortage,…

MAITLAND, Fla., Oct. 10, 2017 – The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) estimates central Florida will need an additional 250 million gallons of water per day by 2035 to meet the demands of a growing population. An update on the CFWI's work to meet that demand through increased water conservation and alternative water sources was presented today to the St. Johns River Water Management District's Governing Board. "Water conservation is the least expensive way to help…

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…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is offering six easy ways to prepare for your holiday meals and travel without running up your water bill.During the holidays, water plays a role in everything from preparing your food to prepping your home for time away during this festive season. Here’s how to incorporate water conservation into your holiday plans:

• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board voted today to approve the 2025 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP). The District’s RWSP provides a framework for future water management decisions and demonstrates how water demands can be met through 2045 using a combination of alternative water sources, fresh groundwater and water conservation measures. Updated every five years, the RWSP…

Conservation Takes Center Stage April in Florida… It’s an ideal time to enjoy a little fun in the sun and to remind Floridians about the importance of water conservation. The state Legislature designated April as Water Conservation Month because April is in the dry season, typically the time when water needs are most acute and temperatures begin to climb. Although Florida receives an average of 52 inches of rainfall per year, 60 percent of that annual rainfall is…

 Dave Kupstas, general manager, and Rich Closs, service director, proudly display the Lakeview Grille’s Water PRO certificate. The District’s Water Program for Restaurant Outreach (Water PRO) celebrated its first anniversary with the signing of the 200th restaurant, thanks to the Lakeview Grille at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club in Hillsborough County. “More and more restaurant owners and managers are learning that participating in Water PRO is good…