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The Southwest Florida Water Management District recognized Stephanie Dunda, a Phoenix Academy teacher, for her outstanding water resources education program. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.Dunda’s eighth-grade class studied Florida-friendly gardens and created a hydroponics system for the school after conducting research at Selby Botanical Gardens…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District amended its agreements with the cities of Sebring and Avon Park to include annexed land into each city’s comprehensive watershed management plan.The plans will be used to determine feasible drainage alternatives that may be constructed to enhance and restore water quality and natural systems, or for flood protection. The plan will also assist local governments with their land management responsibilities and further the local…

table(webalert). |*Who:*|Southwest Florida Water Management District and Greencastle of Bayonet Point.||*What:*|Greencastle of Bayonet Point, a Port Richey apartment complex, recently became the first in Pasco County to be certified under the "Florida Water Star℠":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/florida_water_star/ Community standard.The tour will feature the changes that helped cut the community's monthly water bill in half, which saved them nearly $1,000 a month…

On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board adopted a $224.8 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2024, including approximately $92.4 million for Cooperative Funding Initiatives and District grants for water resources projects. The budget reflects the District’s commitment to protect Florida’s water resources and to improve Florida’s economic vitality. Some of the key initiatives in the District’s FY2024 budget include: …

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with Pinellas County on two projects that will treat stormwater within the Lake Tarpon watershed, which will improve water quality discharging to the lake.The Lake Tarpon watershed consists of 52.4 square miles, extending from northern Pinellas County into northwest Hillsborough County. The watershed consists of three major drainage basins, including the Brooker Creek, South Creek and Lake Tarpon basins.Both…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District District) is seeking public input about the order in which minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and aquifers in the District will be determined. Legislation requires the District to review and, if necessary, revise this schedule each year. Following the directive in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Emergency Order to conduct all public meetings electronically to reduce the…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District honored two projects that focus on water resources education in DeSoto and Hardee counties. A total of 26 projects were recognized Wednesday during the “Partners in Watershed Education Conference” at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East Hotel.

• Maran Hilgendorf serves as the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center communications manager. She has also coordinated Florida-friendly landscaping workshops for DeSoto and…

Two Polk County projects, cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, to improve water quality by treating stormwater runoff within the Ridge Lakes watershed will be complete in July.The first project consists of a stormwater treatment system for Lake Menzie. The project includes retrofitting two stormwater pipes that directly discharge into Lake Menzie. These retrofits include two swales, a retention basin, and a long infiltration basin. These…

As we prepare to "fall back" with the end of daylight saving time next weekend, it's not just your clocks that need adjusting—your irrigation system could use a quick check too! When we turn our clocks back an hour Saturday, Nov. 2, take a moment to ensure your sprinkler timers are set correctly. This simple step helps your system run efficiently and keeps you in line with water conservation practices.At the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), we’re all…

A project cooperatively funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Citrus County will improve water quality entering Lake Tsala Apopka.The project includes the design, permitting and construction of stormwater treatment areas at five county-maintained boat ramps and the associated parking areas.A study of the lake was conducted to choose and prioritize the treatment sites. Further, a hydrologic and hydraulic model of each site will be developed as part of…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is announcing the recipients of the 2005 Community Education Grant Program. The grants, which are up to $5,000 each, will help fund projects that provide communities the opportunity to learn about water resources.This year the District awarded 29 grants Districtwide for a total of $107,667.The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation,…

Polk County is taking a lead in water conservation as nearly a dozen cities pass laws requiring new homes to be built more water efficient.  As the Polk Regional Water Cooperative (PRWC) works to develop alternative water supplies to meet the region’s projected water supply deficit, many of the PRWC’s 16 municipalities have adopted the ordinances. The City of Eagle Lake became the 10th Polk County city to pass an ordinance since 2018 requiring newly constructed…

Paddling down the calm flows of the Chassahowitzka River, you might come across a barge humming with machinery. All seems calm on the surface to the casual boater floating nearby. But in the depths below the water line, divers are hard at work restoring a portion of the treasured waterway in Citrus County. Workers are removing sediments that have accumulated in the springs. It’s part of the District’s Chassahowitzka Springs Restoration Project.  Sand and…

Environmentally conscience residents can learn about water conservation, Florida-friendly landscaping and composting at a Haines City Earth Day Celebration.The event, which is Saturday, April 11 from 10am-6pm, is being held at The Health Chic House, 12 N. 5th St. in Haines City.Workshops include Florida-friendly landscaping, composting, rain barrels, micro-irrigation, aquaponics, and other water saving tips.Additional workshops are available as well as several activities,…

On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board adopted a $211.7 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2023, including approximately $90.6 million for the Cooperative Funding Initiative and District grants for water resources projects. The budget reflects the District’s commitment to protect Florida’s water resources and to…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday approved the renewal and modification of a water use permit (WUP) for the City of Eagle Lake to meet the projected population growth through 2013.Eagle Lake is located approximately four miles south-southwest of the intersection of State Road 542 and U.S. Highway 17 in Polk County.The renewed permit increases the permitted quantities. The previous annual average permitted quantity was 380,000 gallons of…

On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board  adopted a $198 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2022, including approximately $63.5 million for the Cooperative Funding Initiative and District grants for water resources projects. The budget reflects the District’s commitment to protect Florida’s water resources and to improve Florida’s economic vitality. Some of the key initiatives in the District’s FY2022 budget…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing Board voted today to declare a Phase I Water Shortage for all 16 counties throughout the District's boundaries. Included in the order are Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties.The primary purpose for a Phase I water shortage is to alert the public that watering restrictions could be forthcoming…

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $108,937 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness…

Ken Herd, water supply program director, Resource Projects Department A District employee with more than 20 years experience in regional water supply development will continue to make an impact in the field as a member of the National Research Council’s Water Science and Technology Board. Ken Herd, the District’s water supply program director, accepted a three-year appointment to the Water Science and Technology Board, which studies water…