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Water utilities can reduce per capita water use and maintain revenues by using water-conserving rate structures. Your water management district can provide information and tools to help utilities accomplish these goals.Why Use Rates to Conserve?In many areas of Florida, water supplies are stressed as growth fuels new demand for water. To ensure a sustainable water supply, utilities are tapping alternative sources including conservation. The pricing of water is one way to…

Recycled Water – Safely Supplying Florida’s Future. What is Potable Reuse?Potable reuse refers to highly treated recycled water from various sources people can use for drinking, cooking or bathing.Is Recycled Water Safe for People to Drink?Yes. This type of recycled water uses proven technology to make the water safe. The water meets or is a higher quality than strict state and federal drinking water …

What are minimum flows and minimum water levels (MFLs)?In short, an MFL sets a limit on how much water can be withdrawn from various water resources to prevent significant harm occurring to those resources or the ecology of the area.What does “significant harm” mean?The Florida legislature did not define the term ‘significant harm.’ However, the District has developed criteria for significant harm to various types of water resources. The…

The District has been working closely with the regional water supply authorities within its boundaries over the last several decades to reduce the region’s reliance on traditional groundwater supplies and achieve environmental recovery by developing alternative water supplies.There is a critical need to develop additional alternative water supplies to meet the region’s substantial population growth and its associated water supply needs. Population growth within the District…

You’ve learned how water continuously moves through the natural water cycle, but did you know that humans have created the urban water cycle? The urban water cycle refers to the ways that humans have engineered systems to capture, clean, use and return water to the environment. With an increase in population and growing demand for water, the urban water cycle can put pressure on traditional water supply sources, such as groundwater…

Water Quality Basics Water quality is a description of the condition of water, similar to how we refer to our health to describe the condition of the human body. Water quality can refer to the chemical, physical and biological condition of water. It also includes evaluating whether water is safe to be used for a specific purpose like drinking, recreation or to support wildlife. You can’t tell much about the quality of water simply by looking at it. In…

Both the United States government and Florida have adopted water quality goals and standards. Each water body has its own standards. For example, water used for drinking has to be much cleaner than water used for crop irrigation or to cool machinery in a factory. Scientists use information from water monitoring to determine how a water body rates based on its intended use. If scientists rate water quality as GOOD, then the water can fully support its…

Scientists use many different instruments to determine the quality of water, including Secchi disks, probes, nets, gauges and meters. Water quality is not just measured by direct sampling. Information can also be derived from aerial and satellite photographs, by observing the surrounding environment and by collecting organisms that live in the body of water. Although you might not have access to the resources of a scientist, there are some simple tests you can perform to…

We all play a role in protecting and conserving our water resources, both above and below ground. But we need leaders like YOU to help inspire others and become a water superhero! How can you become a water superhero? Start by incorporating some of the actions in the chart below into your everyday life. It’s also important to educate your friends, family and neighbors to encourage them to do the same! Ways to Conserve Water

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The Water Matters Podcast answers your most popular questions about the work done by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and services offered including new projects, springs protection, water conservation efforts and more. Learn about the many ways we serve the community and protect your resources.

Certifying excellence in water conservation, saving resources and protecting the environmentThe Florida Water Starsm program is a voluntary certification program for new residential and commercial construction and existing home renovation. The program encourages water efficiency in appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as water quality benefits from best management practices in landscapes. An average Florida Water Star homeowner…

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…

These short videos with coordinating teacher’s guides are a great way to introduce your students to a variety of topics, which include: the water cycle, wetlands, watersheds, groundwater, water quality and alternative water supply.