City council to vote on $29M grant for Fort Myers emergency water wells

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Fort Myers City Council will consider a $29 million increase to a wellfield expansion project aimed at providing reliable water to homes in case of emergencies like hurricanes. 

The city approved the wellfield expansion project in 2024 to provide reliable, high-quality water to Fort Myers homes. 

The funding increase would come through grants, and a city spokesperson said the city has received about $55 million in grants for the project overall. 

A Fort Myers resident near Colonial Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue said he's happy the city is taking steps to protect him and his family at no cost to them. "My thoughts are a wonderful thing. You know, my heart goes out to everyone who lost water. The power and everything are devastating and bad timing," James Smith said. 

According to city documents, the project would install 20,000 feet of raw water main for four new well sites.  

The new backup wells would secure about 4 million gallons of water per day for the treatment plant. 

The city said the project will serve its 34,000 customers. 

A spokesperson said construction could start as early as June 1, and the council is expected to vote on the funding tonight.