Water Conservation

• 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. 

  News Release
   

• 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.

  Cape Coral Mid-Hawthorn Well Graph
   

• 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. 

  Water Shortage Order SFWMD 2023-063
  News Release
  FAQ's 

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