Fort Myers City Hall is shown in downtown Fort Myers. City officials are considering $6.8 million in cuts, along with higher taxes and fees and the use of reserves, to close a projected $9.2 million budget gap for fiscal 2027.
Evan Williams
Fort Myers City Council is advancing plans to expand the city’s potable water supply by building new wells and transmission pipelines and restoring older ones.
Council members set a public hearing for Oct. 19 to consider approving the Fort Myers Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant Wellfield Expansion Project. The project would be funded in part by a $35.8 million principal-forgiveness loan through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
City Council on Sept. 8 also authorized staff to negotiate a construction contract with Quality Enterprises USA Inc., the city’s first choice for the wellfield expansion. If negotiations are unsuccessful, staff can negotiate with Wright Construction Group Inc., the second-ranked firm.
According to a staff report, the city owns and operates a brackish water wellfield with 28 wells that supply raw water to the city’s Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant. The expansion is expected to meet the needs of the city’s growing population, which is projected to increase by 1% to 3% annually and reach 125,000 residents within the city’s water distribution area by 2040.