VILLAGE CONNECTION – 2025-2026 Utility Extension Project Update

 

 

For the past several years, the Village of Estero has been working to understand why the Estero River is impaired for bacteria and the Estero Bay is impaired for nutrients (nitrogen).  In July 2019, the Village hired Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) to study the Estero River and determine how high levels of bacteria and nutrients are getting into the river. 

In September 2019, the Village also hired Banks Engineering to identify the septic tanks and package wastewater treatment plants within Estero and determine what it would take to connect each area to municipal water and sewer.  Banks Engineering identified a total of 15 areas that have formed the basis of the Village’s utility extension plans.   The final report was completed in June 2020.  

In early 2021, FGCU completed its Estero River study and presented its findings to the Village Council.  The FGCU report identified septic tanks and package wastewater treatment plants as sources of both nutrients and bacteria.  Extending municipal sewer to communities that have septic tanks and treatment plants and removing the septic tanks and treatment plants will eliminate significant sources of nutrients and bacteria from the watershed and result in a healthier environment.   

Many Estero communities also use wells to supply potable water to their homes.  In many cases, the quality of the well water is poor, containing high iron and high sulfur counts, and during drought conditions, some wells can go dry.  The lack of municipal water also means there are no fire hydrants.  Extending municipal water to these communities will provide a higher quality, more reliable source of water for these residents, while also improving fire protection.   

After completion of the FGCU and Banks Engineering studies, the Village hired Tetra Tech (September 2021 and May 2022) and Johnson Engineering (May 2022) to design and permit the infrastructure required to connect the areas that have the most impact on the Estero River. 

 

 

Project status

Tetra Tech and Johnson Engineering have completed construction plans and permitting for several areas.  The following list of projects can be ready for construction in a few months:

• Cranbrook Harbor (Charing Cross Circle) (3)
• Cypress Bend (1)
• Estero Bay Village (6)
• Estero River Heights (3) 
• Quarterdeck Cove (3)
• Sherrill Lane and Luettich Lane (3)
• Sandy Lane (4)
• See See Street (5)
• Sunny Grove (2)

Construction plans are roughly 60% complete and permits may be obtained within six to nine months for the following communities:

• Trailside
• Highlands Ave
• The Groves

These projects are on hold until the construction-ready projects are completed, and additional funding is secured. Extending municipal water and sewer to the remaining communities within Estero will be considered after these projects are completed. 

 

Funding

Due to the very high cost associated with each project, the key factor that determines how and when projects move forward is funding.  The Village and affected residents are generally not able to afford the projects without significant state or federal funding.  The Village has been successful in securing financial support for several projects:   

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP):
  • Estero River Heights, Cranbrook Harbor, Quarterdeck Cove, Sherrill Lane, and Luettich Lane (pending final federal approval): $21.9 million
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant (state appropriation funding):
  • Cypress Bend, Sunny Grove and Estero Bay Village (approved March 2023): $530,000
  • Estero River Heights, Cranbrook Harbor & Quarterdeck Cove (approved October 2023): $4.9 million
  • Sandy Lane (expected late 2025): $800,000
  • See See Street (expected late 2025): $800,000

 

Project Schedules

Cypress Bend & Sunny Grove: Village Council approved construction contracts for Cypress Bend and Sunny Grove at the July 2 Village Council Meeting.  Construction on both projects will be starting by fall 2025.  Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

Estero River Heights, Quarterdeck Cover, Cranbrook Harbor, Sherrill Lane and Leuttich Lane: Construction will start three to six months after the HMGP grant is completed.    

Sandy Lane: The Village is expecting to complete permitting and bidding for the project in the first quarter of 2026 with construction likely starting the summer of 2026.

See See Street: The Village is expecting to complete permitting and bidding the project in the fall, with construction likely starting in early 2026.