CAPE CORAL, Fla. - 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.

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.

On April 10, 2025, the District's Governing Board authorized the District's Executive Director to issue a Water Shortage Order imposing Modified Phase IV Water Shortage restrictions if/when the water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer declined below the "future action level" of -93.01 feet NAVD for two consecutive weeks. The aquifer dropped below -93.01 feet on April 18, 2025, and has continued to decline over the past two weeks. See the graph below. 

This Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order supersedes the District’s Modified Phase III Water Shortage Order and mandatory irrigation restrictions issued on November 28, 2023, for this same area of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County to protect the aquifer.

The Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, located approximately 125 feet underground, provides potable and irrigation water to many private wells in this area. Water levels within this aquifer are at record low levels. 

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

• 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.
• If you are a resident in Northeastern Cape Coral and your well is dry, please reach out to Lee County for more information about drilling a replacement well. Visit leegov.com.

As part of the City of Cape Coral’s Utilities Extension Project, the City is installing both potable water and irrigation supply lines in neighborhoods in a portion of the water shortage area. Residents will be notified by the City when these services are available. Residents are encouraged to connect to these systems as soon as they are available as this will help to alleviate stress on the aquifer and allow water levels to recover. For details, please visit the Cape Coral Utilities Extension Project webpage.

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

Please visit SFWMD.gov/WaterShortage for more information.