Southwest Florida Water Management District

SWFWMD headquarters along US 41 in Garden Grove, Florida
District overview
Formed	1961 (1961)
Jurisdiction	16 counties in Florida: Charlotte Citrus DeSoto Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lake Levy Manatee Marion Pasco Pinellas Polk Sarasota Sumter
Headquarters	2379 Broad Street Brooksville, Florida 34604
Annual budget	$224.8 million (FY 2024)[1]
Parent District	Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Website	WaterMatters.org

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (or SWFWMD, pronounced as "swiftmud" based on the word acronym) is one of five regional agencies directed by Florida state law to protect and preserve water resources. Established in 1961, the agency operates and maintains several large properties and flood protection projects, sometimes with other agencies. The District's responsibilities have expanded to include managing water supply and protecting water quality and the natural systems — rivers, lakes, wetlands, and associated uplands. The district's stated mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public's water needs are met.

Area of jurisdiction

The District encompasses approximately 10,000 square miles (30,000 km²) in all or part of 16 counties in west-central Florida including Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter counties, serving a population of more than 5.5 million people.^[2]

Administration and funding

A 13-member governing board oversees the district activities. Members are unpaid volunteers appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate to four-year terms to set policy and administer the budget. The board chooses an executive director who is approved by the state Senate. The executive director oversees a diverse staff of professionals, including engineers, geologists, biologists, attorneys, educators, and administrators.^[3]

Funding comes from voter-approved ad valorem property taxes, along with state and federal funding such as the state's Florida Forever Program. While there is a legislative limit on the tax levy of 1 mill ($1 for each $1,000 of assessed land value), actual tax levies have been less than the maximum.

Public recreation areas

Every year, about 2.5 million people visit public conservation lands acquired by the district and its partners to protect Florida's water resources. Properties in the district include: