Local Water Quality
Hurricane Season Water Safety Guide for Bonita Springs, FL Residents
Bonita Springs (Lee County) residents know hurricane season means more than boarding up windows — it also means planning for water safety, since both municipal systems and private wells face real disruption risk during and after major storms.
Why Storms Threaten Water Safety Here
Bonita Springs Utilities operates its own membrane treatment plant because the deep Lower Hawthorn wells it relies on produce naturally brackish water that must be desalinated before it's safe to distribute. Bonita Springs's water comes from the Lower Hawthorn Aquifer, treated by reverse osmosis due to natural brackishness, and both flooding and extended power outages can compromise water safety in different ways: flooding can introduce surface contamination into shallow wells or damaged distribution infrastructure, while extended power loss can knock out water treatment plants and well pumps alike.
Before the Storm: Preparation Checklist
Store water properly: FEMA recommends one gallon per person per day for at least 3-7 days. Use food-grade containers, and rotate stored water every six months to keep it fresh.
Know your well's flood risk: If you're on a private well in a flood-prone part of Lee County, verify your wellhead is properly sealed and elevated above expected flood levels — a compromised well cap is the most common way floodwater contaminates a well.
Charge backup power for well pumps: If you rely on a private well, a generator or battery backup for your pump means you're not without running water during an extended outage, even if the storm itself doesn't damage anything.
During and Immediately After: What to Watch For
Municipal customers should watch for boil water notices, which Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc. may issue if the treatment plant loses pressure or power during a storm — a pressure loss anywhere in the distribution system can allow contamination to enter pipes. Always follow official boil water advisories rather than assuming water is safe once power returns.
Private well owners whose wells were touched by floodwater should assume contamination until tested. Floridian storm surge and heavy rainfall can introduce bacteria, sewage, and agricultural runoff into shallow wells, even ones that appeared undamaged.
After the Storm: Testing and Disinfection
Don't use a flooded well until tested: If your wellhead was submerged, do not drink or cook with the water until you've had it tested for bacteria, even if it looks and smells normal.
Shock chlorination: A well that's been flooded typically needs shock chlorination — a controlled dose of chlorine circulated through the well and plumbing system — before returning to normal use, followed by a clean bacteria test.
Watch municipal advisories closely: Follow Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc.'s public notices for boil water advisory lifts — utilities typically require two consecutive clean bacteria samples before lifting an advisory, which can take several days after a major storm.
Building a Long-Term Emergency Plan
Beyond bottled water storage, consider a portable water filter or purification tablets as a backup for situations where store shelves are empty and stored water runs out — a common scenario in the days immediately following a major Florida storm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc. has issued a boil water notice?
Check the utility's website and official social media accounts, along with local news and county emergency management alerts, which are the fastest channels during storm recovery.
Is bottled water enough for a week without power?
For drinking and cooking, yes if properly stocked at one gallon per person per day — but remember additional water is needed for basic hygiene and pet needs, which stored water plans often underestimate.
Bonita Springs residents who prepare their water plan alongside their storm shutters and generator fuel are far less likely to face a water crisis on top of everything else a hurricane brings.