SWFWMD headquarters along US 41 in Garden Grove, Florida | |
District overview | |
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Formed | 1961 |
Jurisdiction | 16 counties in Florida: |
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.