Cape Coral Water Shortage

The South Florida Water Management District (District) issued a water shortage order and mandatory irrigation restrictions in November 2023 for a portion of Cape Coral and a portion of unincorporated Lee County. This order restricts irrigation from water supplied by private wells in the designated area to one day a week.

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.

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. 

Conserving water year-round is an integral part of managing and protecting our water supplies today and for future generations.