IWA Board of Directors Withdraws Rate Petition to Incorporate Major New Funding for Resiliency Projects

The IWA Board of Directors has withdrawn its current rate‐increase petition to the Sanibel City Council after learning that $34.67 million in system resiliency projects have been added to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Intended Use Plan for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund – Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton (DWSRF SAHM) forgivable loans and 0% interest loans.

These funds come in addition to the $10 million DWSRF Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Fiona and Ian (SAHFI) forgivable loan and state legislative grants already supporting critical water production resiliency upgrades currently in design.

Because these new forgivable and zero‐interest financing opportunities could reduce the amount of revenue needed from rates, the Board has asked its rate consultant, Raftelis Financial, to update the rate model. Revising the model now ensures that 2026-2028 rate recommendations are accurate, transparent, and aligned with the latest funding outlook.

What This Means for IWA Members

• Although the petition is withdrawn, rate increases are still required in the future due to escalation in operating costs, the need for a responsible emergency reserve, and ongoing capital improvement requirements. A new petition is expected to be submitted within the next two months.

• IWA has not raised rates in 16 years, and even with future adjustments, the typical household dollar increase in monthly service bills is expected to remain modest.

• Updating the rate model will help ensure that 2026-2028 adjustments are no higher than necessary.

• IWA will continue to offer some of the lowest water rates in Southwest Florida, even after anticipated changes.

Why This Decision Matters

This decision reflects IWA’s ongoing commitment to provide our members with quality water and exceptional service at a reasonable price. By taking the time to update the rate model and include these significant new funding opportunities, we are working to ensure that any future rate changes are as fair, accurate, and affordable as possible.

Water rates affect every household and business. IWA continues to focus on maximizing outside funding, reducing long-term costs, and investing in the reliable, resilient water system that serves Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Safety, quality, and reliability are our top priorities.

We will continue to provide updates as Raftelis Financial completes the revised rate analysis.

Consumer Confidence Report

The Consumer Confidence Report, also known as a Water Quality Report, summarizes the results of all tests and measurements performed at IWA’s water treatment plant and throughout the water distribution system in 2024.

To view the report, click here.

Current Boil Water Advisories

There are currently no precautionary boil water advisories. For additional information on boil water advisories, please refer to our FAQ.

Smart Meter Information

All IWA Members can now view their usage and set up leak and consumption alerts. Detailed instructions on how to set up your account can be found in the Member Portal Tutorial.

We highly recommend all IWA Members to create an account and follow the steps in the tutorial which will give you real-time information on your water use. Prevent unexpected spikes in your monthly bill by signing up to receive leak notifications and consumption alerts on your account.

Current Irrigation Restrictions

Due to recent public interest, please refer to our long-standing water restrictions which are governed by South Florida Water Management District. If conditions change, IWA will update the schedule, as needed. We ask our Members to follow the City of Sanibel and Lee County’s irrigation restrictions to protect this vital, natural resource. Allowed irrigation days are based on a property’s address as listed on the chart below. For more information on IWA & Coastal Watch’s Conservation Plan, please visit our water conservation page.

Irrigation is prohibited between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM.

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