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.

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

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

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

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.

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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 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.

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.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has issued a "Phase 1 Water Shortage Order" that includes St. Pete.

All appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. The post Gov. DeSantis appoints Jim Turner to SWFWMD, reappoints 3 others appeared first on Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..

TikTok video by Florida Keepers

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.