Water Supply
Regional water-supply planning, water-use information, conservation, minimum flows and levels, and projects intended to meet reasonable future needs while sustaining water resources.
Florida water-resource agencies
Florida Water Management District Links
Florida's water resources are administered regionally through five water management districts operating under the general supervisory authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Use this page to identify the appropriate district and reach official information about water supply, water quality, flood protection, natural systems, permitting, district lands, public meetings, employment, procurement, maps, data, and regional plans.
Resource page updated August 29, 2026
Regional water management
Four Core Mission Areas
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection identifies four core mission areas shared by Florida's five water management districts.
Water Quality
Monitoring, assessment, regulatory programs, restoration work, and funding or construction of projects that protect and improve Florida's water resources.
Flood Protection
Floodplain management, flood-protection planning, data and mapping, and the operation or maintenance of regional water-control systems where applicable.
Natural Systems
Protection of wetlands, rivers, springs, aquifers, lakes, estuaries, floodplains, and district-owned conservation lands connected to water resources.
Important: The correct agency and permit pathway depend on the project, activity, location, and applicable operating agreement. Confirm current requirements directly with the appropriate district and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before relying on general information.
Official agency directory
Florida's Five Water Management Districts
Select a district to visit its official website. Some counties are divided between districts, so use the district's current maps or contact staff when a project is near a boundary.
Florida Panhandle
Northwest Florida Water Management District
NWFWMD
Service Area
Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties, plus western Jefferson County.
Headquarters
81 Water Management Drive
Havana, FL 32333
850-539-5999
North-Central Florida
Suwannee River Water Management District
SRWMD
Service Area
Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union counties, plus portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson, and Levy counties.
Headquarters
9225 County Road 49
Live Oak, FL 32060
386-362-1001
Northeast & East-Central Florida
St. Johns River Water Management District
SJRWMD
Service Area
Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties, plus portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, and Putnam counties.
Headquarters
Palatka, Florida
386-329-4500
800-451-7106
Tampa Bay & West-Central Florida
Southwest Florida Water Management District
SWFWMD
Service Area
Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Sumter counties, plus portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Levy, Marion, and Polk counties.
Headquarters
2379 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34604
352-796-7211
Tampa Bay area district: SWFWMD serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, Sarasota, and other West-Central Florida counties within Tampa Bay Training's primary service region.
South Florida
South Florida Water Management District
SFWMD
Service Area
Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties, plus portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties.
Headquarters
3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
561-686-8800
What to look for
Common District Resources
District websites are organized differently, but these categories are useful starting points for public agencies, utilities, contractors, engineers, consultants, property owners, and environmental professionals.
Permitting & Rules
Environmental resource permits, water-use permits, well permitting information, application portals, rules, handbooks, forms, and agency contacts.
Maps, Data & Planning
Flood and watershed maps, hydrologic data, rainfall and groundwater information, minimum flows and levels, regional water-supply plans, and GIS resources.
Funding & Partnerships
Cooperative funding, cost-share opportunities, conservation programs, local-government partnerships, procurement notices, and project information.
Lands & Recreation
District-owned conservation lands, recreation areas, land-management plans, public access information, closures, and restoration activities.
Meetings & Public Records
Governing-board meetings, agendas, budgets, annual reports, public-comment procedures, records requests, and transparency resources.
Careers & Procurement
Employment opportunities, vendor information, solicitations, contract opportunities, purchasing requirements, and organizational contacts.
Authoritative statewide sources
Florida Water Policy & Permitting Resources
Related Tampa Bay Training resources
Continue Your Research & Training
Frequently asked questions
Understanding Florida's Water Management Districts
Which water management district serves the Tampa Bay area?
The Southwest Florida Water Management District serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, along with other counties and partial counties across West-Central Florida.
How do I determine the correct district for a project?
Start with the county coverage listed on this page, then confirm the precise location using the district's current jurisdictional maps or by contacting district staff. Several counties are divided between two districts.
Does the water management district issue every environmental permit?
No. Depending on the activity and location, permitting may involve a water management district, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, a delegated local program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or another agency. Confirm the correct pathway before submitting an application.
Where can I find current permit forms and technical requirements?
Use the applicable district's official permitting section and the FDEP environmental resource permitting page. Do not rely on an old downloaded form without confirming that it remains current.
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