Stringent water shortage restrictions in effect in northeastern Cape Coral
The South Florida Water Management District issued a Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order on Friday, immediately banning lawn irrigation for homes and businesses using private wells in northeast Cape Coral.
The restrictions the agency called “stringent” are due to critically low water levels in the aquifer from which residents in the affected area draw their drinking water.
The order does not apply to homes and businesses on city water.
“This action is being taken to protect the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer and ensure water conservation for essential needs,” city officials said in a release announcing the order. “Code Compliance will enforce these temporary restrictions to help preserve water for critical needs.”
According to the SFWMFD order, Phase IV water restrictions which went into 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 4-7 a.m. for all types of irrigation and from 5-7 p.m. for low volume hand watering.
• Low volume watering of pervious, non-vegetated public recreational/sporting surfaces is restricted to 10 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,” SFWMFD officials said in a notice posted to the agency’s website. “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.
More information about the restrictions may be found at SFWMD.gov/WaterShortage.