The district has reopened 40 of its properties following Hurricane Irma’s impact last week. The district continues to assess damage from Hurricane Irma and make repairs to its public lands, with a goal to reopen the properties for recreational uses as soon as it is safe to do so.

The district has reopened the C-54 Canal to recreation now that the water control structures at either end of the 11-mile-long canal are closed.

The district’s Governing Board today adopted its fiscal year 2017-2018 budget, which provides funds for cost-share projects and major programs to support the agency’s core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems and flood protection. The board also approved reducing the millage rate for taxpayers for a fifth year.

The district joined city of Winter Garden leaders and others to celebrate the start of a reclaimed water and stormwater project. The district provided $750,000 for the work, which captures and stores excess stormwater, improving aquifer recharge and water quality at nearby Lake Apopka.

Repairs are underway in areas of the district’s Lake Apopka North Shore, which experienced damage due to Hurricane Irma.

Over two days, Hurricane Irma brought 2.2 trillion gallons of rainwater, or enough to cover 6.7 million football fields in one foot of water, to the district’s 18-county service area. A full report outlining September’s hydrological conditions, flood control system and the district’s response during Hurricane Irma, was presented to the district’s Governing Board Tuesday.

The district Governing Board on Tuesday approved moving forward with contracts for nine agricultural projects, totaling nearly $1.5 million in cost-share funds, that reduce water use by 34 million gallons per year and reduce nutrient loading in the Tri County Agricultural Area (TCAA) of Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler counties. 

The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) estimates central Florida will need an additional 250 million gallons of water per day by 2035 to meet the demands of a growing population. An update on the CFWI’s work to meet that demand through increased water conservation and alternative water sources was presented today to the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board.

The district’s Governing Board is commending the city of Altamonte Springs for its award-winning work to expand water resources in Florida. The city’s pureALTA Potable Reuse Demonstration Pilot was recently named the 2017 WaterReuse Innovative Project of the Year at the national WaterReuse Symposium in Phoenix, Ariz.

Eleven schools are receiving grant funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Blue School Grant Program for projects to enhance student development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related topics.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is hosting a public meeting to discuss updates to land management and recreational across Brevard and Indian River counties. The meeting will also include an opportunity for public comment.

Repairs are underway at the district’s Lake Apopka North Shore, which experienced damage due to Hurricane Irma. As water levels subside and assessments are completed, the district will provide a weekly update on the status of repairs and recreation at the Lake Apopka North Shore.

The St. Johns River Water Management District and the city of Jacksonville Beach are partnering to extend central sewer service to eight properties along the Intracoastal Waterway. By eliminating septic tanks, the project is anticipated to reduce total nitrogen discharges by 240 pounds per year and total phosphorus discharges by 32 pounds per year.

The district and the city of Fernandina Beach are partnering on a project that will help reduce flooding along 26 city blocks while also reducing nutrient loading to the Amelia River.

Repairs are underway at the district’s Lake Apopka North Shore, which experienced damage due to Hurricane Irma. As water levels subside and assessments are completed, the district is continuing to provide weekly updates on the status of repairs and recreation at the Lake Apopka North Shore.