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The Governing Board voted June 29 to let water shortage restrictions expire on June 30. The Governing Board voted to lift the restrictions in response to significant improvements in aquifer and river levels as a result of this winter’s above-average rainfall. Moreover, the region’s major public water suppliers have been able to capture and store large supplies of water to meet the needs of residents. However, the Board urged residents to continue the water conservation…

Gifts aren’t the only ways to protect water resources this holiday season. Be water-wise when selecting holiday decorations. Here are some suggestions:  • Add some color to your holiday decorating with red salvia splendens. The plant requires little maintenance once placed in your garden after the holidays.  • Use items found around your yard and home to decorate. Palm fronds, magnolia leaves, pinecones and citrus fruit make great ingredients for…

Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director David L. Moore this month declared a modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage that restricts lawn watering to one day per week throughout the 16-county District. 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 went into effect January 16 and will remain in place until July 31 unless…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved a water use permit that will allow Oldsmar to withdraw an average of 2.7 million gallons per day of brackish ground water to meet its needs.Under the previous permit, the City purchased water from St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Utilities to supply all of its potable water demand.This water permit allows Oldsmar to continue purchasing water until the treatment facility is permitted by the…

District Dedication Navigational Lock Operating Hours Daily Hours Oct. 15– Feb. 15 7 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Daily Hours Feb. 16–Oct. 14 7 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m. –8 p.m. “This structure is placed here to protect and enhance this riverine system. It is here through the persistence and tenacity of hundreds of citizens who cared enough to get involved. If we continue our work together, we can save this wonderful river for future generations.” So said…

Today is the last day of Water Conservation Month, and April is traditionally one of the driest of the year and peak demand season for public water suppliers. The District works with our local government partners to share the importance of water conservation and to increase efforts to conserve water. Thanks to all our partners who joined the District in proclaiming April as Water Conservation Month. The following local governments and partners have declared…

The District’s Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.) is being noticed throughout the southeast for its success. Governing Board member Watson Haynes II and Melissa Roe, a District senior communications coordinator, will represent the District when they accept a Gulf Guardian Award in Corpus Christi, Texas. Water C.H.A.M.P. received second place among government programs that help protect the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Guardian Awards are…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday issued a water use permit (WUP) to Pasco County to supplement its reclaimed water system until its reclaimed water storage reservoirs are complete.The permit is for an annual average of 500,000 gallons of water per day (gpd) to be drawn from three new wells. Irrigation demands currently exceed the amount of available reclaimed water in Pasco County.The permit requires the county to follow two-day-per-…

The "Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ (District) will observe May 19-25 as Water Reuse Week. Governor Rick Scott proclaimed Florida Water Reuse Week to highlight the importance of water reuse to the sustainability of Florida's water supply and overall ecosystem. Water reuse is essential to ensuring safe, clean and sustainable water resources. As part of the District's efforts to highlight water reuse awareness throughout our 16-…

Pledge to conserve water in 2018. Here are 18 simple ways to save water:

1. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
2. Take shorter showers, 5 minutes or less. 
3. Flush less. The toilet isn’t a trashcan.
4. Only operate the dishwasher with a full load.
5. Thaw frozen food in the fridge, not under running water.
6. Purchase water-efficient appliances for your home.
7. Only wash laundry with a full…

Water resources education is hitting the road. The Crystal Springs Foundation recently unveiled WaterVentures, Florida’s Learning Lab. The traveling lab is a science center housed in a customized 53-foot semi-trailer that will tour elementary schools throughout the state. The vehicle features hands-on activities about Florida’s water and how to protect it. The exhibits touch on topics like aquifers and the natural filtration of spring water. The traveling lab is…

Overwatering in Winter Can Encourage Pests and Disease The Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” of watering during the cooler months of December, January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. Furthermore, if your lawn…

Water managers, state and local government officials, representatives from academia and the business community, and other interested people will attend Florida’s 30th Annual Conference on Water Management, which will be held September 7–9 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort in Fort Myers. The annual conference provides a forum for attendees to share information on emerging technologies, discuss policy and social issues, and address economic challenges in managing Florida’s…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday passed a resolution proclaiming Sept. 9-15 as “Water Reuse Week.”By declaring “Water Reuse Week,” the District joins the Governor’s office and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in an effort to promote water reuse and the need for water conservation.Water reuse is a key component in meeting the current and future water needs of the region.Water reuse…

The District’s Governing Board recently voted to let water shortage restrictions expire due to significant improvements in the aquifer and river levels as a result of this summer’s above-average rainfall. Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties had been subject to District-declared once-per-week lawn watering restrictions and other stringent requirements. Thirteen other counties were under a drought advisory, which required water utilities to do extra enforcement…

Hotels and motels in both Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa saved 35 million gallons of water during 2004 while participating in the Southwest Florida Water Management District water conservation program known as Water C.H.A.M.P. or Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program.Based on City of Tampa and Hillsborough County potable water rates, that translates into more than $180,000 in savings per year to participating hoteliers.The Water C.H.A.M.P. is a “linens…

Cockroach Bay is located in Tampa Bay, the District’s highest priority SWIM water body, and is one of the largest, most complex ecosystem restoration projects ever developed for the Tampa Bay estuarine ecosystem. The 1980s was a decade of added responsibility for the District. A number of environmental programs were created by the Legislature during these years and, as a result, staff realigned priorities to accomplish multiple significant undertakings.…

h3. Residents urged to check their irrigation systemsThe "Southwest Florida Water Management District's(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":/ "Governing Board(Governing Board)":/about/governingboard voted today to declare a Phase I water shortage for "the District's entire 16-county area (Map of the District)":/data/map/ beginning Dec. 1.The Phase I alert is intended to raise the public's awareness of dry conditions, and to direct water utilities and their local…