Mark your calendars — the annual Florida Python Challenge™ is back for 2026! Kicking off on Friday, July 10 at 12:01 a.m., and running until Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m., registered participants in this year’s Challenge will get the chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes while removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades and raising awareness about nonnative species.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL. - Today, the South Florida Water Management District (District) proclaimed May 17-23, 2026, as Water Reuse Week. The District highlighted the importance of developing alternative water supplies to meet the growing demand on our traditional groundwater and surface water sources.
Florida is a national leader in water reuse, reusing over 950 million gallons per day of reclaimed water to conserve freshwater supplies and recharge our freshwater resources.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. - The South Florida Water Management District (District) eased stringent water restrictions from a Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order to a Modified Phase II Water Shortage Order in a designated area of northeastern Cape Coral in Lee County. These restrictions apply to residents and businesses that use private wells accessing the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer for irrigation.
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is encouraging our partners, stakeholders, and the public to provide written comments on the DRAFT versions of Chapters 1, 2, 3 and Appendix A of the 2026 Upper East Coast (UEC) Water Supply Plan Update.
The plan assesses current and projected water needs in the Upper East Coast Water Supply Planning Area through 2050. The planning area includes all of Martin and St. Lucie counties, and the northeastern portion of Okeechobee County.
Read the draft documents:
Today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) rescinded the Water Shortage Warning that was issued on Feb. 5, 2026, for Glades County and portions of Highlands County.
Read the rescission of the Water Shortage Warning SFWMD 2026-042.
SOUTH BAY, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce that all federally funded contracts for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir have been fully executed, marking a major step forward in accelerating one of the most critical components of Everglades Restoration.
The South Florida Water Management District (District) is now providing updates via email subscription to water utility partners. These emails include relevant information related to water supply and water utilities. These updates are being provided for your awareness and informational purposes only.
To sign-up for the District's updates, visit our email signup page. Enter your email address and check the “Water Utilities” box.
The South Florida Water Management District (District) released the 2026 South Florida Environmental Report (SFER) highlighting the continued progress for Everglades restoration and water quality across South Florida.
This is the final week to apply for funding for alternative water supply and water conservation projects. The South Florida Water Management District (District) is accepting applications for cost-share projects to develop alternative water supplies (AWS) and to advance water conservation initiatives. The deadline to apply is February 26, 2026 at 4 p.m. To apply, visit SFWMD.gov/CoopFunding.
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issued a Water Shortage Warning for Collier, Glades, Highlands, Lee, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties amid continuing dry conditions and increasing water supply concerns.
