Utilities

Windy and cold conditions were experienced in Southwest Florida Sunday afternoon with some power outages reported.

The Florida Power & Light power tracker map reports that more than 1,000 homes in Hendry County are without power this morning.

The Charlotte County Utilities Department has declared a precautionary boil water notice starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7 for the entire Burnt Store and Tuckers Point service areas due to required repairs to the Burnt Store Water Treatment Plant.

Lee County Utilities is alerting customers to a scheduled water outage and upcoming precautionary boil water notice along Orange River Boulevard east of Interstate 75. Interruption is due to construction as part of the Lee County Orange River Boulevard Sidewalk and Utility Improvements Project.

A new, four-year rate agreement for FPL approved by the Florida Public Service Commission Thursday will raise a typical 1,000-kWh residential customer's bill about two percent a month or about $2.50. The agreement sets rates for 2026 through 2029 and was developed in collaboration with a coalition of customer groups. The typical residential customer bill will go from the current $134.14 to $136.64.

Marco Island is switching to a new payment system for utilities. It's also installing new water meters, and, according to the city, some customers likely will pay more.

City crews are on scene near Del Prado North, working to fix a water main break. Water is estimated to be off for approximately four to eight hours, and all hydrants will be out of service until repairs are completed.

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.

The state Office of Public Counsel, which is designated by law to represent consumers, opposed a newly proposed Florida Power & Light rate settlement Thursday, saying it would increase FPL’s revenues by an “unconscionable” amount.

Florida Power & Light Company and 10 key stakeholder groups filed a comprehensive four-year rate settlement agreement with state regulators Wednesday that reduces FPL's original revenue request by approximately 30%.