Landscape Watering Restrictions
Water Shortage in Northeastern Cape Coral
- Posted on May 2, 2025:
Stringent water restrictions are now in effect in Northeastern Cape Coral. In order to continue to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, the South Florida Water Management District (District) issued a Water Shortage Order imposing Modified Phase IV Water Shortage restrictions in a designated area of Northeastern Cape Coral in Lee County for residents and businesses that use private wells for irrigation. This restriction does not apply to homes and businesses on city water.As of May 1, 2025, the water level at the USGS Monitoring Well L-4820 in the water shortage area is at -93.61 feet (NAVD). If the water level falls below -103.01 feet NAVD, serious and possibly irreversible harm may be caused to the aquifer.
Read the Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order.
Modified Phase IV water restrictions that are effective immediately include:
- Residents and businesses are no longer allowed to use their lawn irrigation systems if they use water from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer. Hand watering using a self-cancelling nozzle and drip irrigation is allowed three times per week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for users withdrawing groundwater from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.
- Landscape irrigation for public recreation areas (sport fields) is restricted to one day per week from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. for all types of irrigation and from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for low volume hand watering.
- Low volume watering of pervious, non-vegetated public recreational/sporting surfaces is restricted to ten minutes of application prior to each recreational/sporting event.
Other restrictions for nurseries and aesthetic uses such as fountains also went into effect if they utilize groundwater from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.
In addition, the construction of new Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer wells within the water shortage area is now limited to just potable use. New users will be required to seek a different water source other than the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer for irrigation.
These restrictions are put into place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply. Continued water use at current levels could cause long-term damage to this vital resource. District staff will continue to monitor water usage and groundwater levels.
- Posted on April 24, 2025:
Water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer are continuing to drop and have reached a critical threshold. Continued water use at current levels could cause long-term damage to this vital resource.Based on the downward trajectory of the water levels, the South Florida Water Management District plans to issue additional water shortage restrictions on Friday, May 2, 2025, if the water levels remain below this critical threshold.
These restrictions include:
Residents and businesses will no longer be able to use their irrigation systems if they are connected to the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.Limiting the construction of new Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer wells within the water shortage area to just potable use. New users will be required to seek a different water source other than the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer for irrigation.
These restrictions will be put into place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply.
-
Posted on April 10, 2025:
News Release
- Posted on November 28, 2023:
In order to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) declared a water shortage and issued mandatory irrigation restrictions for a portion of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County. Landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week in the designated area for irrigation water supplied by private wells.
The public can get the latest updates from the SFWMD by signing up for text messages and emails here.
Year-round Landscape Water Restrictions are in effect for the entire South Florida Water Management District
The South Florida Water Management District’s year-round landscape watering restrictions (Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code) are designed to ensure the efficient use of water landscape (includes lawns) irrigation.
The restrictions allow enough water to maintain healthy landscapes year-round. These mandatory restrictions specify the time and the days of the week when watering is permitted for residential and nonresidential locations.
These days depend on whether the address ends in an odd or even number. A healthy landscape only needs 1-inch to 1.5 inches of water per week during summer growing season and only as needed to supplement rainfall. During the winter season, when a lawn goes dormant, it requires even less. Click HERE to see recommended zone run times (minutes) to set on your timer.
The YRR applies to all landscape irrigation from all water sources, including public or privately-owned water utility systems, private wells or private connections to surface water bodies (ponds, lakes, canals, etc.), with the following exceptions:
- Use of reclaimed water
- Athletic play areas (including golf courses, football, baseball, soccer, polo, tennis, and lawn bowling fields, and rodeo, equestrian, and livestock arenas)
- Agricultural operations (including nurseries) with District issued consumptive use permits
- Hand watering is allowed at any time provided the hose has a self-cancelling nozzle.
In short, the YRR prohibits landscape irrigation between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and limits watering to two or three days per week depending on the area. The District has complied this a list of local restrictions (see the drop-down menu below) with the best available information, based on local ordinances, and the District’s authority. Property owners should refer to their local or county ordinance. However, many local governments are in the process of updating their local ordinances to be consistent with the District’s YRR. If your local government’s ordinance allows irrigation more than three days per week, it likely has not completed its local adoption process. In such cases, property owners should refer to the District’s YRR and continue to check with their local government for updates.
Click the drop-down menu below to find the days and times when you can water in your area:
For areas where local governments have adopted a three-day per week restrictions, permissible watering days are as follows:
- Even-Numbered Addresses or other locations without an address, may irrigate only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and/or Sundays.
- Odd-Numbered Addresses may irrigate only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Saturdays.
For areas where local governments have adopted a two-day per week restrictions, permissable watering days are as follows:
- Even-Numbered Addresses or other locations without an address, may irrigate only on Thursdays, and/or Sundays.
- Odd-Numbered Addresses may irrigate only on Wednesdays, and/or Saturdays.
Specific exceptions to the Rule have been defined for the installation of new landscaping material, irrigation system maintenance and repair, watering-in of fertilizers and other chemical treatments, and when using low-volume (micro or by-hand) watering methods. For more information on the District’s YRR, click HERE.
It is important for residents to note the distinction between the YRR, which is mandatory, year-round, and permanent, and a declared Water Shortage, which is a temporary declaration. For more information on water shortage, click HERE.