Surface Water Improvement and Management Program (SWIM)

In the late 1980’s, it was determined that Florida had to do more to protect and restore its priceless surface waters. While "point" sources--end-of-pipe sewage and industrial wastes--were being controlled, "nonpoint" source pollutants that enter water bodies in less direct ways were still a major concern. In 1987, the Florida Legislature created the Surface Water Improvement and Management program (SWIM) as one mechanism to address these nonpoint pollution sources. SWIM was the first major state program to address a waterbody’s needs as a system of connected resources rather than simply as isolated wetlands or water bodies. To accomplish this, SWIM cuts across governmental responsibilities, forging important partnerships in water resource management. While the state’s five water management districts are directly responsible for the SWIM program, they work in concert with DEP, federal, state, and local governments and the private sector. All the partners contribute--with funding or in-kind services. In fact, in many areas, state-appropriated money is not the biggest part of program funding.

Publisher - Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Subjects - Water Quality; St. Johns River

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/watersheds/swim.htm

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Citation: DEP. 2008. Surface Water Improvement and Management Program (SWIM). Tallahassee (FL): Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)