Clean Water

On May 21, Lee County Utilities will change its water disinfection process from free chlorine residual back to using chloramines as the primary disinfectant.

Suncoast Searchlight reviewed water-restriction complaints and enforcement records across Sarasota County during Southwest Florida’s most severe drought in nearly a decade and found municipalities are taking sharply different approaches to enforcement. While some jurisdictions actively patrol for violations and issue citations, others rely primarily on education and warnings and provide few clear ways for residents to report violations. We also examine how the drought has heightened public scrutiny over water use, with hundreds of residents filing complaints about sprinklers, lush lawns and suspected overwatering during the regional shortage.

By 2040, Florida’s public water needs are expected to increase by 22%, and analysts conclude that there is not enough groundwater to meet these needs, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida’s freshwater resources come from underground aquifers, which are large bodies of porous rock and sand that hold water.

SWFL’s population continues to boom with Charlotte County seeing a nearly 19% increase in new residents since 2020. One of the struggles the region is facing is access to clean water.

Florida is facing a new dilemma as the state’s supply of drinking water is beginning to dry up. The solution is to use reclaimed wastewater in situations where drinking water can be preserved.

Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. has earned top honors as the 2025 Best Tasting Drinking Water winner in a blind taste test conducted by the Southeast Desalting Association. The annual competition draws entries from water utilities across the 10-state region of the southeastern U.S. Samples were evaluated by a panel of judges on color, odor, clarity and overall taste.

While the debate on fluoride has a focus on dental care, what about the other health issues regarding fluoridated water?

New disaster-resilient water treatment plant to serve Key West and the Lower Keys.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has earmarked $25 million for water-quality improvements to the Caloosahatchee River watershed

Lee County Utilities has rescinded a precautionary Boil Water Notice for 99% of the Lee County Utilities service area; less than 1% remains on a boil water notice.