Search Content

Water conservation will be a focal point at this year’s Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival with the addition of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s water-conserving restroom. The restroom station will be at the annual event Jan. 13-14 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.“The water-conserving restroom station is a practical and effective tool to spread the word about water conservation,” said Melissa Roe, project manager for the District. “Seeing the restroom station at…

Excellence in Engineering Florida’s five water management districts were recently honored as national “trendsetters” for irrigation conservation issues. The Irrigation Association collectively recognized all five of Florida’s water management districts by presenting the districts with the association’s 2002 National Water & Energy Conservation Award. The award was presented at the international organization’s annual meeting in New Orleans. “The work done in…

More than 160 people representing local governments, utilities and various industries came together Friday, March 23, at the Hilton Ocala Hotel for the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s first northern Water Conservation Summit.Held in partnership with the Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts, the summit served as an exchange of ideas on how local governments and utilities in the District’s northern region can plan for future…

 A stormwater treatment pond and diversion structure built adjacent to Lake Mariana will help improve water quality in the Polk County lake. The water quality at Lake Mariana and the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes will begin to improve, thanks to a stormwater improvement project cooperatively funded by the District and Polk County. Lake Mariana is a 500-acre lake located within the headwaters of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, which is a District Surface…

Pledge to conserve during one of the driest months of the year The Southwest Florida Water Management District is urging residents to join their family and friends in pledging to conserve water during the state's annual Water Conservation Month in April. Each year local governments and water management districts throughout the state declare April as Water Conservation Month…

Rainfall deficits remain in all 16 countiesThe Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board voted today to extend all Phase II and Phase III water restrictions.Despite some instances of short-term heavy rainfall this summer that caused temporary, localized flooding, all of the counties within the District still have rainfall deficits and water levels are already declining.The Board voted to continue the…

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 and City of Tarpon Springs are working together on an alternative water supply project that will reduce demand on the Tampa Bay Water regional system by providing up to 5 million gallons of water per day (mgd) by treating brackish groundwater.The District and city signed an agreement for the project that includes the design, permitting and construction of a brackish water wellfield and treatment facilities.The city currently…

Race fans will be able to enjoy the comforts of a water-conserving restroom station at this year’s Little Everglades Steeplechase. The Southwest Florida Water Management District aims to make the event more “Florida-friendly” by bringing the water conservation restroom station to the race, which is being held March 5 at the Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.“Bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to community festivals like…

Attendees of this year’s African American Heritage Celebration will be able to enjoy the comforts of a water-conserving restroom. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing its water conservation restroom station to the event, which is being held Feb. 25 at the Pinewood Cultural Center in Largo.“Bringing the comforts of a private, water-conserving bathroom to community festivals like the Annual African American Heritage Celebration is an effective way to…

The Marion County Spring Festival will be more “Florida-friendly” because of the addition of a water conservation restroom station. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is bringing the water conservation restroom station to the event, which is being held Mar. 11-12 at the Extension Service Office in Marion County.This festival, which is expected to attract approximately 15,000 people, includes workshops, exhibits, and a plant sale. Workshop topics…

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…

Sharing Science With Students Members of the District’s Peace River Basin Board and the District’s mascot, Ripply, helped celebrate the grand opening of a new exhibit at the Explorations V Children’s Museum in Lakeland. The Water Matters! exhibit is a hands-on display that illustrates the water cycle and explains the importance of protecting natural water resources. The exhibit encompasses a 10- by 14-foot area of the museum and includes an activated water cycle, a…

During the summer months of June, July, August and September in Florida, yards need no more than ½ to ¾ inch of water every 2 to 3 days, which includes both rainfall and irrigation. The frequency and duration of watering will depend on several factors, such as the type of grass, soil conditions and local weather patterns. Here are some general guidelines:How often can I water my lawn?If your lawn hasn't received enough water from rainfall, watering…

Working Together The District is among a diverse group of stakeholders that recently joined forces to improve water quality in the Shell Creek and Prairie Creek watersheds, Punta Gorda’s primary water supply source. The stakeholders, including several government agencies, the City of Punta Gorda, citrus growers and agricultural organizations, took part in signing the Shell, Prairie and Joshua Creeks Watershed Management Plan Stakeholders Agreement. By signing the…

Emergency watering restrictions may be extended past July 31 deadlineA continuing rainfall deficit reaffirms the need to maintain emergency watering restrictions, resolved the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board this week.At its next meeting on July 31 the Board will consider extending the one-day watering restrictions which are due to expire that day.Rainfall for the last 12 months remains down more than 12 inches from normal, while June…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Dunnellon recently signed an agreement for a project to improve water quality within the Dunnellon watershed.The watershed includes approximately five miles within the City of Dunnellon.The city’s stormwater runoff currently flows to Route 40 and Cedar Street. The untreated runoff flows through a stormwater collection system that discharges directly into the Withlacoochee River. This project designs and…