$55M grant funds Fort Myers water system expansion after Hurricane Ian outages

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The City of Fort Myers broke ground on a water project officials say will ensure reliable water to all customers. It’s called the Wellfield Expansion Project.

Mayor Kevin Anderson says the project won't just help with natural disaster recovery, but also the population boom Southwest Florida is seeing right now.

"It's important that we can provide clean, drinkable water," Anderson said. "You know, a couple of years ago, we were struggling with that, and now we've gotten ourselves to the point, through grant processes, to expand the wellfield."

"Just in these last five, six years, we've seen tremendous growth, and we've got to be able to provide the water," Anderson said.

Officials say they will lay down 20,000 feet of raw water main and add 12 new water wells.

They say it isn't going to cost taxpayers because they received nearly $55 million in funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Neighbors told WINK News they're happy to hear about the project.

"I'm glad that they're active and going out and looking for grants and funding to get these projects done," said Rico Tesio, a Fort Myers resident. ““Any project right now that would help the city expand infrastructure-wise, much needed as we continue to grow and at the pace we're growing, those projects are absolutely necessary.”

“I can't imagine going without water,” said Megan Nazareth, a Fort Myers resident. “Yeah, that grant is a godsend.”

The city says construction is expected to begin in June and could take up to two years to finish.