Water Shortage

The Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, located approximately 125 feet underground, provides water to many private wells in a portion of the City of Cape Coral and a portion of unincorporated Lee County. Water levels within this aquifer are approaching record low levels.

Because of low aquifer levels, irrigation from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer is currently restricted to one day per week. A drier than normal dry season is forecasted.

If the aquifer drops closer to the “significant harm threshold,” more restrictions will be put into place and residents may no longer be able to use their lawn irrigation systems. Restrictions are put in place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply.

Residents can help alleviate the water shortage situation by following their irrigation rules and taking steps to conserve water as much as possible.

For residents within the designated area in the City of Cape Coral, click here.

For residents within the designated area in unincorporated Lee County, the irrigation requirements are:

• Even-numbered addresses, installations with irrigation systems that irrigate both even and odd-numbered addresses within the same zones, such as multi-family units and homeowners’ associations, and rights-of-way or other locations with no address, can irrigate only on Sundays.
• Odd-numbered addresses can irrigate only on Saturdays.
• Landscape irrigation users located in unincorporated portions of northeastern Cape Coral, are prohibited from irrigating between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on their assigned day. 
• Low volume irrigation (i.e. drip irrigation and microjet irrigation) shall be voluntarily reduced.
• Hand watering of existing landscape utilizing a self-canceling nozzle is allowed anytime for no more than 10 minutes per area for stress relief or to prevent plant die-off.

Business (Commercial Properties), Duplexes and Multi-Family Units:

• For properties or developments up to and including five acres in size that irrigate multiple properties, including duplexes, multi-family units, compound use and mixed-use units, can irrigate on Thursdays only from 4-8 a.m.  
• For properties or developments more than 5 acres in size that irrigate multple properties, multi-family units, compound use and mixed-use units, can irrigate only on Fridays from 12-8 a.m.

All residents and businesses across the region can also use these simple tips to save water:

• Check irrigation timers to ensure settings are correct and rain sensors are working properly. Check irrigation systems to ensure they are working properly and test and repair broken pipes and damaged sprinkler heads. 
• Fix leaks. Finding and fixing water leaks conserves water, saves money and protects your home from damage.
• When utilizing water indoors, reduce shower durations, minimize loads of laundry, and only run dishwashers when full. 
• Landscape the Florida-Friendly Way by planting low maintenance plants using environmentally sustainable practices.
• Read more Simple Steps to Save Water. 

A Water shortage is a temporary declaration made by the Governing Board or the Executive Director of the Water Management District when water conditions in parts or all of the District are deemed insufficient to meet the present and anticipated needs of residents and other water users. Such a declaration is made to help reduce impacts to our water resources. A water shortage usually occurs due to drought and is rescinded once wetter conditions return to the affected areas.

A Water Shortage Emergency is a second type of temporary declaration made by the Governing Board or the Executive Director of the Water Management District. This declaration is made when the District determines water shortage provisions are not sufficient to protect the welfare of the general public, permitted water users or the environment. Typically, the restrictions on water use are more limiting than under a water shortage declaration.

Declaration of a water shortage condition and/or water shortage emergency within any specific area by the Governing Board or Executive Director of the District supersedes the District's Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule and any local landscape watering ordinance for the duration of the declaration. For more information on the District's Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule, click HERE.