Leaders at the district haven’t talked publicly about how Amendment 3 would hit their revenues. But internal estimates paint a bleak picture.

Utilities director reported that June–August 2026 deliveries and reservoir levels remain low, with a 12-month rainfall deficit near 15 inches; the Southwest Florida Water Management District extended Phase 3 water restrictions through March 31, 2027.

SWFWMD has extended watering restrictions across Tampa Bay and West FL again, as the water shortage continues throughout the region.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has extended the “Extreme” Water Shortage Order for Pinellas County and surrounding areas through March...

Amanda Sennett of the Southwest Florida Water Management District told the Lake Alfred commission the district extended modified Phase 3 one‑day‑per‑week watering restrictions through Oct. 1 across its 16‑county region and outlined address‑based watering days, exemptions and local education tools.

Staff told the board that Southwest Florida Water Management District modified Phase 3 watering restrictions take effect April 3; enforcement will include citations after 14 days. Board members also criticized delays in the automated meter infrastructure (AMI) rollout and pressed staff on procurement, staffing and communication.

The board voted to recess for two attorney‑client sessions to discuss pending litigation (Polk Regional Water Cooperative v. SWFWMD and Tampa Bay Water), and by acclamation elected Hannah Witts as chair and Pasco Commissioner Seth Waitman as vice chair effective at the end of the meeting.

The commission unanimously moved an $800,000 state appropriation request to repair storm-damaged Chassahowitzka River Campground, noting a SWFWMD grant of $200,000 and roughly $500,000 in local campground revenues as potential match toward an estimated $1.4 million total repair need.

Progress Florida Education Institute’s Best of the Blogs for the week ending 4-25-14Best of the Blogs is featured weekly as part of Progress Florida Education Institute’s popular free Daily Clips service. Tallahassee – Bought and Sold (business as usual) By Sandspur SWFWMD Matters If you don’t think the Florida Legislature is being bought and sold, […]

It's a measure of how under the radar this move was that there has been so little hue and cry.Are we so apathetic, or simply uninformed that we don't notice when we are being 'gamed'? I'm not sure of all the reasons for this move but I'm sure they are not for the benefit of the citizens. Just as local EPA activities involving approval of continued dumping by Mosaic into the Hillsborough River go mostly unchallenged, follow the money.

This is all part of the Plan. Weaken the State and WMD's regulatory capabilities by slashing budgets, removing experienced staff and placing controlled figureheads at the leadership positions and then have the federal government turn over the review of environmental impacts to the state. This is the same thing that jackass Carlos Beruff tried to promote several months back at SWFWMD when he sought to have the USACE turn over the review of wetland impacts to WMD's, stating the WMD's were a service industry and best positioned to provide service to the development community. This is a common themes among the hard right and they just keep looking for a crack to move their agenda forward. Unfortunately moderates are no longer electable as it seems you can only be elected if you are extreme left or right.

Maybe the Golf Courses in Citus and Highlands County that agreed to over pumping fines this Auguest, should ask for a refund. I hope SWFWMD's solution will not be to change the permit and give them more water because the grower thinks they need more water.

Attended DEP public forum at Weeki regarding total maximum daily load (TMDL) for nitrate. DEP set a rather arbitrary (my opinion) TMDL for Weeki head spring of 0.35 mg/L. According to research published by SWFWMD in 2000 and using data collected by USGS, et.al., the nitrate concentration rate of change has closely approximated rate of Hernando County population growth since the 70's. Simply compare census data with SWFWMD report. When I worked at the park in late 80's levels were around 0.2 mg/L and we still had issues. The only living organisms that don't seem to mind nitrate (plant or animal) are nuisance vegetation, manatees, and turtles. When I inquired what current levels are today? They stated a max. of 1.0 mg/L! At least they're going in right direction with 0.35 TMDL. Also FYI... all aquatic frogs have disappeared seemingly overnight from riverine. On any summer night in past, noise of frogs was deafening. All quiet now. Not a peep. Very alarming as frogs are an indicator organism (so I'm told).

As for the latest gesture of the Executive Director giving up his new $700/mo vehicle allowance and extra week of time off. Yeah, it sounds great in writing, especially from someone who hasn't shown an ounce of humanity, but let's not kid ourselves. That extra week a paid time off will get taken whether he officially has it or not. I mean, who actually approves his time sheet and whoever did, would they actually be able to question it? And this car allowance, wasn't this "budget neutral" according to the Governing Board. First of all, they were obviously misled to thinking the man actually had to walk back to the compound and check out a vehicle from the District pool everyday and that by given him this car allowance, it will make his job more efficient. INSANE! The man had his own unmarked District Tahoe which was only used by HIM. Now that he so graciously given up the allowance, he will simply take back his assigned (oops! I mean unassigned ;-) ) Tahoe. Then, he will continue to use his personal vehicle and collecting thousands of dollars in millage reimbursement while the brand new Tahoe rots in his own parking space? I guess when you’re not making the same money as you used too in the private sector, you have to make up for it somehow. And don't get me started on the $33 in per diem he collects a week for lunches because he's not working his "Home" office in Brooksville. He's working in Tampa which his closer to his residence. Geesh, I just don't understand why morale would be such a problem.

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) offers free camping across over 344,000 acres in west-central Florida, enabling affordable van life. With a 30-day annual limit and well-maintained sites featuring trails and basic amenities, it provides a unique experience compared to traditional camping, making Florida accessible for adventurers.

SWFWMD is expected to go into Phase 2 restrictions, reducing lawn watering to once a week for properties of less than 1 acre.