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Learn about the District's founding and highlights of our 60+ years in this interactive timeline of the District's history.
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Developing the 2015 Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) involved sharing information and obtaining input from stakeholders and the public concerning demand projections, future water availability, potential environmental constraints, and potential water supply projects to provide for demands across all water use sectors. During 2015, the public was invited to workshops about the draft RWSP listed below.
- May 28: PUBLIC INFO WORKSHOP – SWFWMD Headquarters, 2379…
A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast.Watershed BasicsWe all live in a watershed and if you live near a spring, you live in a springshed.Watersheds are defined by the way water flows across the land and are shaped by features and elevations on the surface of the land. … Read more
Water plays an important role in our lives. Because we live in a state surrounded by so much water, we often forget about the importance of conservation.
All of us can become better at saving water. Have your class pledge to save at least 10 gallons of water per day by using the pledge to the right and we will send you a free conservation challenge kit!
Each kit includes a class set of:
- Water Conservation pledge cards
- "Save Water We Do!"…
February 2023
Q: What is Florida-Friendly Landscaping™?
A: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is a set of nine guiding principles which help protect natural resources and preserve Florida’s unique beauty. A Florida-friendly landscape is beautiful yet saves water and protects the environment too.
Q: What are the nine guiding principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™?
A: The nine guiding principles of Florida-… Read more
Your Questions Answered
December 2021
Q: Why does the District issue permits?
A: Water is a public resource that belongs to all of us. However, fresh water is not limitless. Excessive water withdrawals can harm the resources. Other human activities also pose threats. Without the proper safeguards for wetlands, floodplain encroachment and stormwater runoff can cause pollution and flooding. District permitting… Read more
These documents are helpful for estimating costs for inclusion in Regional Water Supply Plans or our Cooperative Funding Initiative.
The guidelines manual and spreadsheets below are provided to assist entities in estimating the costs of alternative water supply projects (including conservation and reuse) for inclusion in Regional Water Supply Plans or for submittal for inclusion in the District’s Cooperative Funding Initiative program.
Cost Guidelines Model User Manual… Read more
December 2024Q: What is FARMS?A: The Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems, or FARMS program for short, is designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water quantity, water quality and natural systems BMPs to conserve groundwater use and protect water quality in the springs. The program is an agricultural cost-share reimbursement program that reduces groundwater withdrawals from the Upper… Read more
Fixing leaks and installing a few inexpensive water-saving devices in your home could save up to 20,000 gallons of water each year.If you use utility or county water, your efforts could cut your monthly water and sewer bill in half. Unless your house was built after 1995, you probably have pre-conservation era plumbing that guzzles water. Fixing leaks and replacing old plumbing fixtures with water-saving models are two easy ways to conserve water and save money at the same… Read more
April 2024Q: What is Florida-Friendly Landscaping™? A: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is a set of nine guiding principles which help protect natural resources and preserve Florida’s unique beauty. A Florida-friendly landscape is beautiful yet saves water and protects the environment too.Q: What are the nine guiding principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™? A: The nine guiding principles of Florida-Friendly… Read more
Your Questions Answered
December 2019
Florida’s climate makes it ideal for growing a wide variety of crops, which makes the state’s agricultural industry one of the strongest in the country. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) believes working with the agricultural community to conserve water through our Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems or FARMS program is essential to help ensure future water supplies.… Read more
Your Questions Answered November 2020Q: What are seagrasses? A: Seagrasses are flowering plants that colonized the ocean some 70 to 100 million years ago. Seagrasses have leaves, flowers, seeds and roots. Unlike land plants, seagrasses do not have strong stems to hold themselves up. Instead they are supported by the buoyancy of the water surrounding them. Another unique characteristic of… Read more
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board declared April Water Conservation Month at its March 25 meeting. April is historically one of the driest months of the year and typically marks the peak demand season for public water suppliers. With these 10 simple tips, you can lower your monthly water bill and do your part to save hundreds of gallons of water: INDOOR
- Only run your washing machine and…
RainfallThis page compares rainfall for the one, two and three years to normal levels. Rainfall maps are updated monthly.… Read more
August 2023Q: What is FARMS?A: The Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems, or FARMS program for short, is designed to serve as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote water quantity, water quality and natural systems BMPs to conserve groundwater use and promote resource sustainability. The program is an agricultural cost-share reimbursement program that reduces groundwater withdrawals from the Upper Floridan… Read more
The Mini-FARMS Program promotes agricultural water quality and water quantity best management practices (BMPs) and provides overall water resource benefits to agriculture properties. The Mini-FARMS Program works with and provides a mechanism for enrollment in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) adopted agricultural BMPs program, through a Notice of Intent (NOI) to implement BMPs. Through the Mini-FARMS Program, the District will reimburse… Read more
Federal flood maps — used to assess flooding risks — are being updated for our area with your help and input.
Why These Maps Need Updating
This national effort of map modernization will produce more reliable flood risk data and in a digital format. This new format will enable communities to overlay and analyze new flood data with street layouts, demographics, infrastructure and evacuation routes. It also provides more timely access to update maps as flood risks change… Read more
Your Questions Answered
January 2020
The Weeki Wachee River has been a popular site for recreational activities for many years. Recently, both public and private stakeholders agreed to take a closer look at what steps should be taken now to ensure the waterway is protected for years to come. Randy Smith, Natural Systems & Restoration Bureau Chief for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, explains the results of the recently… Read more
July 2024Q: What is an aquifer?A: An aquifer is a body of underground rock and/or sediment that stores water. The groundwater within an aquifer can fill the spaces between grains of sand and gravel, or it can fill the cracks and fissures in solid rock.Q: Are there different types of aquifers?A: In west-central Florida the groundwater system is comprised of three main aquifer units; the surficial aquifer, the… Read more
March 2023
Q: Why is it important to use best practices when visiting rivers and springs?
A: The District has found direct links between river recreational use and environmental damage. For example, visitors leaving kayaks while on the river have trampled vegetation and eroded riverbanks and sand point bars. Also, numerous trees have been damaged from climbing and rope swinging. Over time, these actions can have negative long-term… Read more