Despite some past issues with testing and public notice, Fort Myers drinking water is considered safe to drink and meets or exceeds federal and state standards. The city and Lee County rely on a combination of groundwater and surface water, which is treated using advanced filtration and purification methods.
Fort Myers uses both groundwater and surface water resources.
Groundwater: The city’s primary source is the Floridan Aquifer System, a vast underground reservoir.
Surface water: Supplemental water is sourced from the Caloosahatchee River.
Fort Myers Drinking Water Treatment
The Fort Myers Drinking Water Treatment Plant uses an advanced reverse osmosis process to purify the water. This process involves:
Prefiltration to remove larger impurities
Reverse osmosis membranes to separate water from other impurities
Degasification to remove hydrogen sulfide
Chlorination for disinfection
Stabilization for potable consumption and corrosion control
Fluoridation to prevent tooth decay
Recent Water Quality Concerns
In July 2025, the city of Fort Myers reassured residents that its tap water was safe to drink, despite recent public confusion.
Bacteria testing: The confusion stemmed from public notices sent in July 2025, which mentioned that bacteria were detected in some samples collected in November 2024.
No public health threat: The city stated that there was no public health threat, and the water was safe to drink. The delayed public notification was a procedural issue.
Preventative measures: The Public Utilities Department implemented a new automated alert system to ensure more timely public communication in the future.
Potential Drinking Water Contaminants
While Fort Myers drinking water is safe, environmental factors can pose potential challenges to the area’s water quality, including:
Harmful algal blooms: These can occur in surface water sources like the Caloosahatchee River.
Agricultural and urban runoff: This can contribute to nutrient pollution in the water system.
Home plumbing: Older homes may have lead in their service lines or plumbing. The city recommends flushing taps for 30 seconds to two minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking if it has been sitting for several hours.
Drinking Water Hardness
Fort Myers has relatively soft water, with a hardness of approximately 30 parts per million (ppm).
Annual water quality report: The city of Fort Myers publishes a detailed annual water quality report on its website.
Lee County Utilities: Residents outside the city limits can find more information in Lee County’s annual water quality reports.
What Contaminants are Monitored in Fort Myers Drinking Water?
The City of Fort Myers Public Utilities Department monitors for more than 80 regulated contaminants, in accordance with federal and state laws. The specific contaminants that are routinely monitored can be categorized as follows, with details available in the annual water quality report.
Microbial Contaminants
These are tracked to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Recent tests have included monitoring for:
Coliform bacteria, which can signal the presence of disease-causing organisms. In November 2024, an administrative error delayed reporting a limited presence of this bacteria, but subsequent tests confirmed the water was safe to drink.
Cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness.
Inorganic and Radioactive Contaminants
Testing detects naturally occurring minerals and industrial byproducts, including:
Arsenic
Fluoride, which is also added to the water to promote dental health
Lead and copper, which can enter the water supply through household plumbing
Radium, a radioactive element that occurs naturally in deposits
Sodium, which can increase due to saltwater intrusion
Disinfection Byproducts
Chemicals like chlorine are used to treat the water, but they can react with organic matter to form byproducts. Monitoring for these includes:
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Haloacetic acids (HAA5 and HAA9)
Emerging Drinking Water Contaminants
The city is also proactive in monitoring for contaminants that may pose new threats:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” were detected in Fort Myers’ tap water in a 2023 U.S. Geological Survey study.
Other Potential Contaminants
While not always detected in the final tap water, Fort Myers must remain vigilant for other pollutants that could enter source waters, such as the Caloosahatchee River, including:
Pesticides and herbicides from agricultural and residential use
Nutrient pollution from runoff, which can contribute to algal blooms
Fort Myers Drinking Water Sources