Fort Myers water pressure crisis affecting homes, schools; solution on the way

Fort Myers is in a water crisis.

The low water pressure is not only affecting homes but also schools, including the ability to flush toilets.

Now, some relief might be on the way.

Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said if all goes well, those problems could be fixed by next week with the help of Lee County.

The county has agreed to sell the city water at 1.5 million gallons a day for up to 150 days.

The city needs approval from the state to do that.

“I’m embarrassed for the city that we got to this point,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the city was not slow to respond.

“As it was brought to our attention, we started looking at what our options were, unfortunately, there was no short-term solutions,” Anderson said.

The low water pressure is also affecting nearby schools.

“It’s critical that we alleviate these issues,” said Lee County schools Superintendent Ken Savage.

To rectify the situation, Fort Myers and the Lee County School District are coming together in agreement where the city will drill wells on Dunbar Middle School and Ray B. Pottorf Elementary schools.

The wells will be outside of the gated school property.

Frederick Ross, the executive director of operations at the school district, explained during a Fort Myers city council meeting this week that some of the issues stem from not as many snowbirds going back up north.

“Last offseason when not as many snowbirds went home as usual and kind of used up a little more water than the city is used to them using,” Ross said.

Ross said the well-digging project could take 87 days and then another 10 to 12 months to install the well.

As for the city’s growth, Anderson said he doesn’t think it’s growing too fast.

“We just need to make sure we do manage and we do smart growth. Should the city have anticipated this, by all means,” he said.

Anderson said he is grateful the county is willing to help.