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May 7-15 is National Travel and Tourism WeekAre you planning a 'staycation' to avoid the cost of rising fuel prices? You can enjoy the area's natural beauty and still make a difference in preserving its natural resources, thanks to conservation programs developed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.National Travel and Tourism Week is May 7-15, and the District offers many ways to enjoy some time off close to home without sacrificing the environment.Saving…

Focusing on Florida's Future This September, water managers, state and local government officials, representatives from academia, the business community and other interested people will come to Tampa to attend Florida’s 28th Annual Conference on Water Management. The conference, which is being held September 3–5 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel, will provide a forum for attendees to share information on emerging technologies, discuss policy and social issues,…

Above: This culvert/riser, which is an example of the types of items available for cost-share through the Mini-FARMS program, is used for water control on an agricultural site in southern DeSoto County. Right: Weather stations are funded through FARMS and Mini-FARMS as a way to irrigate more precisely, based on weather conditions. A good example is using a weather station for frost-freeze protection. The farmer has exact data for that area of the farm and can turn on…

Citrus County Utilities earned this year’s bragging rights for having the tastiest tap water in West Central Florida. The utility won the annual Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest for Florida Section Region 4 of the American Water Works Association. The District’s Water Supply manager, Jason Mickel, was one of the judges for Region 4 which includes: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter counties. Twenty-two public water supply contestants…

How much water does Polk County use? Where does the county get its supply? What resource alternatives are available? These are just some of the questions tackled at the Polk County Water School. The seven-week course educates the public on key water issues to encourage improved public policy decisions. “We deliver science-based information to help citizens of Polk County make informed decisions,” said Nicole Walker, the county extension director at the UF/IFAS Polk…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved a water use permit to increase Charlotte County’s water supply from the Burnt Store Wellfield to an average of 3.1 million gallons per day (gpd) of brackish ground water to meet its needs.The county was previously permitted 914,000 gpd. The increase in quantities is due to an increase in the projected population through 2012.This water use permit will allow construction of three new wells…

Did you know that outdoor water use can account for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households?While the "Southwest Florida Water Management District(Southwest Florida Water Management District)":http://watermatters.org advocates "water conservation(Water conservation)":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/ year-round, an extra effort is being made to promote conservation throughout April. Governments and water management districts throughout the state have…

Lakeland restaurants can conserve water with the help of two programs offered by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Lakeland Water Utilities.The District’s Water Program for Restaurant Outreach (Water PRO) and Lakeland’s pre-rinse spray valve replacement program are designed to help restaurants conserve water through training and retrofitting.Water PROWater PRO is a free program that helps restaurants conserve water by educating staff…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday renewed a water use permit (WUP) for the City of Venice.The renewed permit maintains an annual average permitted quantity of 6,864,000 gallons of water per day (gpd).The sole source of water authorized for use by this permit is brackish ground water from the city’s two Intermediate aquifer wellfields.The permit requires the city to carefully manage water levels and water quality at each…

Did you know a family of four could save up to 30,000 gallons of water a year just by fixing leaks and replacing old plumbing fixtures with water conserving fixtures?This is just one of the water conservation tips offered by the Southwest Florida Water Management District this April, which has been designated as Water Conservation Month.The average resident living within our 16-county District uses 124 gallons of water each day and if you haven’t thought about…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved a water use permit to increase the City of Lake Alfred’s water supply to 1.38 million gallons of water daily (mgd). The previous annual average permitted quantity was 1 mgd.This permit provides water for both public supply and agricultural purposes. The modified permit will increase groundwater supply for residential use and decrease its proportion for agricultural purposes.A small…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Oldsmar will bring reclaimed water to up to 200 residents who live near the downtown area.The project includes the design and construction of more than 13,000 linear feet of reclaimed water distribution lines and the installation of an automated system that will regulate the supply of reclaimed water, allowing for more efficient use and enabling the expansion of reclaimed water service.This…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Zephyrhills will expand the use of reclaimed water in Zephyhills.The project includes the construction of approximately 6,000 feet of transmission and distribution line from an existing reclaimed water transmission line to irrigate landscaping along the city’s streets.This project will provide approximately 8,000 gallons per day (gpd) of reclaimed water for irrigation, which is expected…

Residents have a new resource for water conservation.The District has launched the new Water 101 website where residents can get water conservation tips for both inside and outside their home.  Whether someone is new to the area or lived in Florida for decades, the site offers a variety of ways residents can save both water and money. The site is divided into easy…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc. will bring reclaimed water to the Corporate Park in Lakewood Ranch.The Lakewood Ranch Reuse Transmission Project includes the construction of 3,900 linear feet of 12-inch reclaimed water transmission main line and upgrading an existing pump station.This project will provide approximately 570,000 gallons of reclaimed water per day for irrigation. This reclaimed water, along…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Clearwater will bring reclaimed water to residents who live in the Skycrest area of Clearwater.The project includes the design and construction of a high-service pump station, more than 63,500 linear feet of reclaimed water transmission lines, distribution piping, and a five-million-gallon storage tank.This project will interconnect reclaimed water supplies from the city’s three waste…

The public is invited to learn more about the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) at a public workshop Thursday. The Southwest Florida, South Florida and St. Johns River water management districts are hosting a regional water supply plan public workshop. These districts are working together along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and regional utilities to address short- and long-term water…

A project funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Englewood Water District will bring reclaimed water to residents who live in the Stillwater subdivision.The project includes the construction of 4,379 linear feet of six-inch reclaimed water transmission main line and the necessary valves and controllers to connect the Stillwater subdivision to the Englewood Reuse System.The Stillwater subdivision is currently under development. The 91 homes built…

Did you know that outdoor water use can account for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households?While the Southwest Florida Water Management District advocates water conservation year-round, an extra effort is being made to promote conservation throughout April. Governments and water management districts throughout the state have declared April Water Conservation Month because the month typically marks the start of the peak demand season for public water suppliers.…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Sarasota recently approved an agreement to work together on a project that will extend reclaimed water service to Payne Park.The Payne Park Reuse Project consists of the construction of approximately 4,280 linear feet of reclaimed water transmission line to connect Payne Park with the city’s downtown loop reclaimed water system.Payne Park is being developed in phases on a former mobile home park site and…