News & Announcements

Over the next several days, our area is expected to have warm afternoons and much cooler nights. Even though a 24 degree temperature swing may not seem extreme, it is more than enough to affect underground water pipes.

Pipes expand when it is warm and shrink when it is cold. When this happens day after day, it puts stress on pipes, joints, and connections, especially in older parts of the system. Over time, this repeated movement can cause weak spots to crack or joints to loosen, leading to water line breaks.

Florida’s soil is different from many northern states. Our soils are often sandy and less compact, which means they can shift more easily. In colder northern areas, soils are usually denser and pipes are installed deeper and built to handle harsher temperature conditions. Because our pipes are generally shallower and our soils move more, temperature swings can have a greater impact here.

Cooler weather can also change how and when people use water. These shifts can create small pressure changes in the system, adding to the strain on already stressed pipes.

How You Can Help:

1. Report problems quickly. If you see standing water, soggy ground, or notice a sudden drop in water pressure, contact the City right away.
2. Use water wisely. Try not to run several high water use appliances at the same time. This helps keep pressure changes to a minimum.
3. Protect exposed plumbing. Cover or insulate any exposed pipes, backflow devices, or irrigation parts during cooler nights.

City utilities crews are monitoring the system and are available 24 hours a day to respond. We appreciate your patience and your partnership in keeping our water system safe and reliable.

To Report Water or Sewer Problems:

• During Business Hours M-F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM call  (941) 575-5088 or (941) 575-3339
• After Business Hours & Holidays call (941) 639-2057

Posted 01/26/2026

Source: City of Punta Gorda News Notification Temperature Water Lines Overview dated 01/26/2026 

You may receive a letter from the City about the material of your water service line. This letter is required by new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules, called the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, which took effect in October 2024. These rules require water utilities to notify customers whether their service line is known to be lead, needs replacement, or if the material is still unknown and could possibly be lead.

The City developed its service line inventory using our mapping system, City records, and county property information. In some cases, records alone do not clearly show what material was used. As required by law, City staff will be verifying every service line over time to confirm the actual material in the ground. Under Florida rules, homes built after January 18, 1989 are considered non-lead unless documentation shows otherwise.

Receiving this notice does not mean there is lead in your drinking water, and it does not change who is responsible for the pipes. The City maintains the water system up to and including the water meter, while property owners are responsible for piping beyond the meter. To help meet these federal requirements, the City works with a specialized firm, 120Water, and has shared this information through water bills, the City website, and social media.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to learn more and check the status of their address online using the links below:

• More information may be found on the Lead and Copper Information webpage
• Check your address HERE

Posted 12/22/2025

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 12/19/2025 and 12/26/2025

From the City of Punta Gorda Billing and Collections Department …

While digital payments are on the rise, many still prefer to send checks. If you choose this method, please keep the following in mind to ensure your payment is processed quickly and accurately:

Make checks payable to: City of Punta Gorda. Checks payable to other entities (FPL, Charlotte County, credit card companies, etc.) will be returned.

Match the amounts: The numerical amount (in the box) and the handwritten legal amount must match. If they differ, the bank will process the legal amount. Watch for common issues:

• If the amounts differ by more than $5, your check may be returned.
• If the legal line is blank, the check will be returned.
• If the amounts don’t match, the bank will process the legal amount.
• Example:
  • Courtesy amount: $103.75
  • Legal line: “One hundred three dollars and 57/100” — processed as $103.57
  • Legal line: “One hundred thirty dollars and 75/100” — processed as $130.75

Remittance slip: Always send your check with the remittance slip from your monthly statement. If you can't, include your full account number or service address on the memo line — this helps us apply your payment correctly.

Sign your check: Unsigned checks will not be processed.

Mail your checks early: To ensure your payment arrives by the due date, please mail your checks well in advance. Except for weekends and holidays, checks are processed the same day they are received.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in delays, penalties, or service interruptions. Incorrect information or missing details can also lead to your payment being applied to the wrong account, incurring fees or disruptions.

ALL payments received in our office AFTER 2:30 PM of the DUE DATE printed on your statement will be posted THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY.

Thank you for helping us serve you better!

Posted 01/17/2026

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 01/16/2026

Here are some fire safety tips to keep in mind while turning on your heaters during the colder months. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.

1. Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heaters, space heaters, radiators, and fireplaces. Use the right fuel for fuel-burning space heaters, and turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
2. Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface. Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. Don't use an extension cord or power strip.
3. Regularly clean heaters and inspect them for damage, such as frayed or split wires, overheating, or cracked or damaged cords and plugs. Have any problems repaired by a professional before using the heater.
4. Never leave a heater unattended, especially if there are children or pets that could knock it over or drape fabric on it.
5. Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Don't burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a fireplace.
6. Make sure to have a licensed and insured HVAC contractor regularly inspect your heating and cooling system to prevent dust build up in your system. Dust buildup can cause fires within the HVAC systems.

Posted 01/17/2026

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 01/09/2026

*** For your safety  ... don't drive next to trucks in the roundabout ***
Helpful materials to navigate the roundabout: 

• Roundabout Guide - FDOT
• Roundabout Map - FDOT
• FDOT: Multi-lane Roundabout Handout (pdf)
• FDOT How to Use a Roundabout (You Tube video)
• FDOT: Safety in a Roundabout (You Tube video)
• FDOT Right of Way in a Roundabout (You Tube video)
• FDOT Truck Navigation in a Roundabout (You Tube video)

Posted 12/13/2025

To prevent theft, please lock your vehicles that are in your driveway and make sure your garage doors are locked – don’t forget your side garage door too! 

Posted 12/13/2025

All loose trash must be placed inside a bag BEFORE putting the items inside the trash container. This will prevent any wind-blown litter during the collection process or any leaking from wet garbage. It also helps keep animals out of your garbage. As a reminder, please bag any pet waste and pet hair securely inside a bag to prevent debris from blowing onto the sanitation workers.

Sec. 10- 8. Disposition, lids on containers.

• All garbage should be deposited daily in the cans or containers herein above required.
• Garbage cans and containers shall be kept tightly covered at all times except when it is necessary to lift the cover to deposit garbage or trash in the garbage can or container.
• Before being placed into a can or container, garbage and trash shall first be enclosed in a plastic or paper bag, cardboard box, or other container sufficient to inhibit any liquids from leaking.
• No garbage or trash shall be stored outside a residence or non-residential use except in an appropriate can or container.
• No garbage, trash, yard waste, or recyclables shall be buried in the City.
• No garbage or trash shall be placed in containers so as to extend above the top edge of the container sides.
• Yard waste no more than three (3) inches in diameter or four (4) feet in length shall either be disposed of pursuant to subsections (b) through (e) of section 10-1.3 or be placed in yard waste cans or containers.

Punta Gorda Ordinance Chapter 10 YARD WASTE AND SOLID WASTE may be found HERE.

Posted 10/10/2025

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 10/10/2025

Maintaining a clean roof isn’t just about curb appeal—it’s also part of being a good neighbor and staying code compliant.

Over time, roofs can collect mold, mildew, algae, and debris, especially in Florida’s humid climate. If left untreated, this buildup can cause damage to roofing materials and detract from the overall appearance of the neighborhood.

City code requires that roofs be kept in good, clean condition to help preserve property values and community standards. Regular cleaning and maintenance can go a long way in preventing more costly repairs down the line. If your roof is showing signs of discoloration or buildup, it may be time to schedule a professional cleaning. Let’s work together to keep Punta Gorda looking its best!

Posted 10/01/2025

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 09/26/2025

From Melissa Reichert, City Manager ...

Recent public commentary about the City of Punta Gorda’s water system has created a narrative that is incomplete, misleading, and unsupported by the full public record. As City Manager, I believe residents deserve clear facts, not speculation or fear-based claims that undermine confidence in essential public infrastructure.

• First, the City’s request for state funding assistance should not be misconstrued. Punta Gorda did not approach Representative Oliver because the City was unable to meet its obligations or facing imminent failure. Quite the opposite. Seeking legislative funding support is a routine and responsible practice across Florida for large, regional infrastructure projects. It reflects prudent fiscal stewardship, particularly when state regulatory actions have materially altered system capacity. Requesting assistance is not an admission of weakness; it is how well managed local governments plan for long-term needs while protecting ratepayers.
• Second, assertions that the City’s water challenges are the result of mismanagement or lack of planning are simply false. The City constructed and paid for treatment facilities capable of producing significantly more water than is currently available during dry periods. Subsequent Minimum Flows and Levels restrictions imposed by the State reduced allowable withdrawals, effectively stripping firm capacity from infrastructure that already exists and is fully paid for. That regulatory decision accelerated the need to expand the Reverse Osmosis plant and wellfield. This is a state-driven constraint, not a City failure, and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
• Third, claims that economic development projects in the ECAP were lost or stalled due to City incapacity are inaccurate. No ECAP project was denied service by the City. In fact, the City and Charlotte County have worked cooperatively for years to evaluate service options for proposed developments, including expanding the City’s service area to support future growth. The City has even agreed to provide service to a project outside the ECAP area that it had no legal obligation to serve. Assertions to the contrary have been repeatedly refuted in public meetings and documented discussions.
  • Similarly, statements suggesting the City delayed the installation of water meters misrepresent how utilities operate. The City has not delayed meters. When delays have occurred, they were the result of developers failing to complete required steps, such as submitting complete applications, providing approved plans, or coordinating inspections. Utilities function through defined, regulated processes. Failure to follow those processes can result in delays, but that is neither a capacity issue nor a City-imposed barrier.
  • Public claims of lost businesses or stalled development should be supported by facts and direct coordination with the utility. Making such claims without engaging the City misleads the public and unnecessarily erodes trust in a system that has reliably supported growth for decades.
• Fourth, the suggestion that Charlotte County has excess water capacity while the City does not is incorrect. The County, like the City, is planning future capacity through additional Peace River allocations and expansion of its Reverse Osmosis facility on Burnt Store Road. Those projects are not online today.
  • Transferring service by statute does not create water, accelerate construction, or eliminate regulatory constraints.
• Finally, suggestions that the City’s planning or interconnections are unreliable ignore a long history of successful regional cooperation. The City has safely and reliably served County residents for generations through an integrated system designed, permitted, and financed to serve the entire service area. Today, approximately one-third of the City’s water customers live outside City limits.

It is also worth remembering that the State has already reduced the City’s usable water capacity through regulatory action, devaluing infrastructure that had already been built and paid for. Given that experience, the public should be cautious about legislation developed without full technical analysis or local coordination.

This bill does not solve a water supply problem. It reallocates responsibility without creating capacity, introduces financial and operational risk, and undermines cooperative solutions already underway.

The City of Punta Gorda remains committed to staying the course — continuing planned infrastructure investments and working collaboratively with Charlotte County to ensure safe, reliable water and wastewater service for the entire region. That work is best accomplished through accurate

information, coordination, and good governance. The public deserves facts, not fear- driven narratives.

Posted 12/22/2025

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 12/19/2025 and 12/26/2025 

From Melissa Reichert, City Manager ...

As public discussion grows around water service and economic development in Charlotte County, it is important that residents have clear, accurate information about how the City of Punta Gorda manages its utility system and how we work with our partners at the County. Water infrastructure decisions affect public health, economic opportunity, and long-term community stability. When claims are made that do not reflect the public record or actual system conditions, they deserve careful clarification before misunderstandings take hold.

One claim suggests that the City has never adopted a utility service area as required by section 180.02(3), Florida Statutes. This is incorrect. The City formally adopted its utility service area in 1984 and amended it in 2003 and again in 2016. These ordinances clearly define the territory the City is authorized to serve, including legal descriptions and a mapped exhibit that remain in effect today. Notably, the 2003 amendment was completed in cooperation with Charlotte County specifically to support service to what is now the ECAP area. This history reflects decades of coordinated planning between the City and the County. The adopted service area is firmly established in law and continues to guide all utility planning, permitting, and capital investment decisions.

It is also important to understand the regulatory environment affecting water supply. Punta Gorda constructed and paid for water treatment facilities capable of producing up to fourteen million gallons per day to support long-term regional growth. That capacity existed and was permitted. However, when the Southwest Florida Water Management District imposed Minimum Flows and Levels restrictions on Lower Shell Creek, the City lost access to a significant portion of the supply it had already built. During dry periods, these regulatory constraints require the plant to operate well below its design capacity. This was not caused by mismanagement or lack of planning by the City. It was the result of a regulatory decision that reduced available supply for both City and County customers.

Despite those constraints, the City continues to invest heavily in expanding the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant and wellfield to ensure a sustainable, long-term water supply for the entire service area defined by ordinance. The water treatment plant, located outside City limits, has served residents in both the City and the County for nearly seventy years. It operates as a single, integrated system that cannot be divided or transferred without significant operational, financial, and regional consequences.

Much of the confusion surrounding water availability stems from how development inquiries are often framed. Utilities are frequently asked whether service can be provided to large tracts of land without defined development plans. No utility can responsibly commit to service without knowing the actual demand. Service availability is directly tied to land-use decisions made by Charlotte County, and coordinated planning between governments is essential. This is not a question of willingness to serve; it is a matter of engineering realities, regulatory compliance, and sound governance.

Punta Gorda has a long history of working collaboratively with Charlotte County on water supply planning, system interconnections, and economic development initiatives. That cooperation continues today. The City remains committed to supporting planned growth - including ECAP and other commercial and industrial areas - through transparent communication, coordinated planning, and legally sound agreements. Responsible utility management depends on accurate information, regional collaboration, and clear public dialogue. Our residents deserve nothing less, and the City remains fully committed to providing it.

Posted 12/22/2025

Source: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 12/12/2025

Due to weather conditions in our area we are mandating a Temporary Burn Ban for the City of Punta Gorda. The Temporary Burn Ban reads as follows:

Prohibition on outdoor fires and open burning.

It shall be unlawful to set or ignite any open fires, open burning, fireworks including sparklers, or any otherwise lawful outdoor burning (including but not limited to yard waste and recreational fires) or use of any outdoor burning devices (excluding attended barbecue cooking equipment appliances) within the City of Punta Gorda during the time frame designated by local Fire Officials as hazardous. This prohibition does not affect bum permits issued by the Florida Forrest Service.

At a time, as determined by Fire Officials, when safe conditions exist to allow open burning and recreational fires, you will receive additional notification of repealed action.

Thank you for your cooperation and efforts to keep our community safe. If you have questions regarding this information please contact the Fire Marshal for the City of Punta Gorda at 941-575-5529.

Posted 12/11/2025

Source: City of Punta Gorda News List webpage

Effective December 4, 2025, the City of Punta Gorda has implemented once-per-week irrigation restrictions in accordance with the newly adopted Chapter 17 of the City Code of Ordinances. These temporary measures are necessary while the Shell Creek Water Treatment Plant’s withdrawal from the Shell Creek Reservoir is impacted under the Block 1 conditions of the Minimum Flows and Levels (MFL) restrictions. This approach is part of our long-standing commitment to managing water responsibly and safeguarding the supply on which every household, business, and essential service depends. Shell Creek is a living system influenced by rainfall, evaporation, watershed activity, and seasonal patterns. 

The City’s role is to ensure that our water resource remains secure—not only for today’s needs, but for the decades ahead. MFL standards, established by Southwest Florida Water Management District, define the minimum flows necessary to prevent lasting ecological harm and to uphold long-term sustainability. When flows drop below these thresholds, withdrawals must be reduced.

This is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a safeguard for the health of the reservoir, the wetlands and ecosystems dependent on it, and the residents who rely on the treated water produced from it.

Effective immediately, irrigation is limited to a maximum of one day per week, based on property address. Irrigation is also prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when evaporation rates are highest and water loss is most severe. These restrictions will remain in place until environmental conditions allow us to return to the normal watering schedule. During this period, City staff will actively monitor and enforce compliance to protect our collective interests. Enforcement is not punitive; it exists to ensure fairness, accountability, and the shared protection of a community asset that belongs to everyone.

Lawn watering days and times based on property address are as follows:

• Addresses ending in 0 and 1: Monday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
• Addresses ending in 2 and 3: Tuesday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
• Addresses ending in 4 and 5: Wednesday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. 
• Addresses ending in 6 and 7: Thursday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. 
• Addresses ending in 8 and 9: Friday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. 
• Addresses ending in a letter or locations without a discernable address: Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Per Florida Statutes, irrigation is prohibited daily between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. -
40D-22.201 (3) F.A.C.

New Lawns

New lawns may be watered for the first 30 days following installation on any day.

Fountains, Car Washing, & Pressure Washing

• There are no specific restrictions on fountains, car washing, hand watering of landscaping, and pressure washing.
• Hand watering of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and any time.
• These and other water uses should be conducted as efficiently as possible, using a shutoff nozzle on each hose.

Posted 12/07/2025

Sources: City of Punta Gorda Weekly Highlights Report dated 12/05/2025 and City of Punta Gorda Water Restrictions & Conservation webpage

The BSIA has mailed hard copies of the deed restrictions to ALL BSI property owners, regardless of BSIA membership.

The deed restrictions can always be found on the BSIA website HERE and a downloadable PDF of the most recent copy can be found HERE.

Posted 09/17/2024

Recently there has been a significant increase in slow down and animal crossing signs throughout BSI. With that increase there has also been an increase in the number of complaints about the signs.

There are 2 issues with the signs. First, the City of Punta Gorda has code restrictions on signs in the easement. The easement area is approximately 10 feet from the edge of the road. The ONLY signs allowed in that area are for yard treatment signs warning residents that chemicals have been applied.

Additionally, BSI has a deed restriction (#18) that states that no signs shall be erected or displayed on this property or any structure, except that the Grantor may allow a sign to be erected at its discretion. Theses signs have not been approved and the BOD decided that they would not be granting approval.

The BSIA BOD decided that we wanted to notify residents that these signs should be removed before residents start contacting code enforcement seeking compliance. If you have a neighbor who is not a member, please politely let them know that the signs will need to be removed as they are a violation of both city code and our deed restrictions.

Thank you for your assistance!

Source: BSIA 08/06/2024 Tuesday Bulletin