Water Management

Governor Ron DeSantis Friday announced the reappointment of Chauncey Goss, John Steinle, and Scott Wagner to the South Florida Water Management District.

Governor Ron DeSantis Friday announced the appointment of Michelle McLeod, Michael Romano, and Patricia “P.J.” Smith and the reappointment of Andrew Hill and Daniel Waters to the Big Cypress Basin Board.

While water consumption in Fort Myers was at its highest in 2022 with an average 8.8 million gallons utilized each day, the 2023 peak season is proving to be even higher. Additionally, in the past week, the National Drought Mitigation Center has categorized the Fort Myers area as experiencing “moderate drought” and “abnormally dry” conditions.

Tonight's public meeting is about the Southeast Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (SEAWRF) Project, a Lee County Utilities project that will be built in the southeast part of the county off Alico Road.

A 42-inch water main on the east side of Fort Myers has prompted a boil water advisory for city residents.

Lee County Utilities issues precautionary boil water notice for select communities off Winkler Road in South Fort Myers

With a continuing influx of residents, more traffic, more business, more pollution — more everything — will we eventually run out of water? Water allocation in the state is complicated by the competing needs of residents, agriculture, government, businesses, the environment, and the community as a whole. Conservation measures are key.

The lack of access to drinkable water is devastating communities around the world, and Southwest Florida's water managers are working to make sure the same thing never happens here.

Right now there is a box-shaped, metal contraption sliding along the surface of Lake Okeechobee. It’s called a boat, but it resembles an aluminum scooper that doesn’t look like it should float. It moves with paddlewheels and sports a pitchfork. The smelly, messy endeavor is the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s latest stab at ways to rid Lake Okeechobee of the invasive species.

The proposed “Safe Waterways Act” by Calusa Waterkeeper would require the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to issue health advisories and post and maintain warning notices at “public bathing places” where the water has been found to contain fecal bacteria.