Water

Since Nov. 2023 the Mid-Hawthorn aquifer that provides irrigation and drinking water to most of Northeast Cape Coral has been seeing record lows in water levels. Residents living in the area have been under mandatory water shortage restrictions that limit irrigation to just one day a week.

From April 22 through May 6, Sarasota County Public Utilities will temporarily modify its drinking (potable) water disinfection process as part of routine maintenance. The water will remain safe to drink.

The City of Fort Myers will build two new water wells, using nearly $15 million that was awarded to the city last September. The money is part of a $1.1 billion grant from the federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recover (CDBG-DR). The money was allocated following Hurricane Ian to help Lee County with long-term recovery.

Sarasota County is continuing upgrading water meters throughout unincorporated Sarasota County to enhance the utilities system and improve response times during weather events and year-round. This project started in 2023 on Siesta Key and is expected to take five years to complete the remaining meter replacements throughout unincorporated Sarasota County.

Charlotte County residents concerned that flooding from Hurricane Helene may have contaminated their private wells can test their water for free while supplies last.

The annual temporary modification in the disinfection process of the drinking water supply of the Marco Island and Marco Shores service areas is now underway.While residents may notice a change in taste, odor and color of their water there are no adverse health effects produced by the change.

Charlotte County residents concerned their private wells may have been contaminated by flooding from Hurricane Debby, can test your water at no cost through Aug. 9.

Lee County Utilities customers may notice a temporary change in taste, odor and color of their waterLee County Utilities will be temporarily converting its disinfectant process from chloramines to free chlorine residual from May 1 through 21.

A group seeking to make clean water a constitutional right in Florida has restarted efforts to get the measure on the ballot.The FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org committee fell short of collecting nearly 900,000 valid signatures of registered voters for placement on the 2024 ballot. But the committee now is aiming to get its proposal before voters in 2026.

A water line break in LaBelle Monday forced the city to shut down service to the entire city for hours.The water main break was located at the corner of Bridge Street and Park Avenue.