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During cooler months in fall and winter, your lawn doesn’t need watering every week. It’s the best time to train your yard to need less water! So only water your lawn every other week and only if it needs it. Too much irrigation…
- Makes your lawn less able to survive droughts
- Encourages pests and disease
- Wastes water
- Grass doesn’t need as much water in the cooler months
- Apply 1/2" to 3/4" of water …
April 2025Q: What is a spring?A: A spring occurs when groundwater that is under pressure flows through natural cracks in the aquifer and creates a natural opening in the ground. The pressure causes the water to flow from the aquifer to the earth’s surface. Our groundwater is the result of seasonal rainfall that soaks into the ground and into the aquifer. Springs can occur as an individual vent but more often as many… Read more
Who is the Southwest Florida Water Management District?The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) manages the water resources for west-central Florida as directed by state law.The District encompasses roughly 10,000 square miles in all or part of 16 counties and serves a population of nearly 6 million people. The goal of the District is to meet the water needs of current and future water users while protecting and preserving the water resources within… Read more
Florida Green Lodging Program »A voluntary initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), this program designates lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources.… Read more
The District developed operational guidelines for selected flood control and lake water conservation systems. These procedures serve as general guidelines for the routine operation of the structures, such as when water is released. They may be modified, as necessary, to ensure the environmental health, recreational and aesthetic value of the lakes, or in response to specific weather events or conditions.
Submit… Read more
March 2025Q: Why does fertilizing my lawn responsibly matter?A: More than 1,000 new residents move to Florida daily, many of whom take pride in maintaining beautiful lawns along with long-time Floridians. However, fertilizers contain nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which, in excess amounts, can harm Florida’s natural water systems. Excess nutrients from fertilizers can wash into lakes, rivers, springs, estuaries and other water… Read more
The Heartland Planning Region covers approximately 2,569 square miles and includes Hardee County and those portions of Highlands and Polk counties within the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Land uses in the region are diverse and include highly urbanized areas along the I-4 corridor in Polk County, extensive citrus groves along the Lake Wales Ridge, diverse agricultural lands in Hardee County and a large area dominated by strip mining for… Read more
The Tampa Bay Planning Region encompasses approximately 2,120 square miles, covering all of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. It is the most urbanized area in the Southwest Florida Water Management District, although land-use types range from urban/built-up areas such as the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg to predominantly agricultural land uses in the inland portions of Hillsborough and Pasco counties and phosphate mining in southeastern… Read more
Your Questions Answered December 2022Q: Why do I need a permit to construct a water well?A: A well construction permit is required before installation of a water well within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors to meet rigid safety and durability standards and protect the groundwater resource.Q: Does it matter what part of the District… Read more
January 2025Q: Why should homeowners skip a week of irrigation in the winter?A: According to research by the University of Florida, grass only needs one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days in the winter. That means you can skip a week of irrigation in the cooler months. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed. It’s important… Read more
The Northern Planning Region encompasses all of Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties and portions of Lake, Levy and Marion counties. It is one of the more rural areas of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, with agriculture, rangeland, upland forest and wetlands constituting approximately 75 percent of all land uses. Population centers include Ocala, northern Sumter County and western Hernando County. The region includes extensive tracts of… Read more
Your Questions AnsweredAugust 2020Many residents have questions about the process of constructing wells on their property. Southwest Florida Water Management District Well Construction manager David Arnold has the answers to some frequently asked questions.Q: Why do I need a permit to construct a water well?A: A well construction permit is required before installation of a water well within the Southwest Florida Water Management… Read more
The Southern Planning Region encompasses approximately 2,465 square miles, covering all of DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties and the portion of Charlotte County that lies within the District. Land-use types range from urban/built-up areas such as the cities of Bradenton and Sarasota to predominantly agricultural land uses in the inland portions of Charlotte and Manatee counties. This planning region is located within the… Read more
The Community Planning Pages reflect an effort by the District to bridge two programs, the first being the Department of Economic Opportunity requirement for local governments to complete a Ten-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plans (Work Plans) and the second being the Department of Environmental Protection requirement for water management districts to complete a Regional Water Supply Plan.
The District initiated the Community Planning Page concept to provide data… Read more