Council to consider more water restrictions for northeast Cape Coral
Cape Coral City Council will consider on Wednesday a joint measure to impose additional measures to reduce dropping water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.
Resolution 75-25 calls for a multi-jurisdictional action plan among the South Florida Water Management District, the city, and Lee County, for the northeast Cape Coral water shortage area. The aquifer is the source of well water for drinking and all other uses in the area.
If approved, it will implement regulations to require mandatory connection to the city’s irrigation water supply system when it becomes available to a property.
According to the resolution, the plan would remain in effect until the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer recovers above the minimum developable limit of -83.01 feet, or the South Florida Water Management District determines the aquifer has recovered for a sufficient amount of time.
The action plan also states that if the water levels decline to less than 10 feet above the minimum flows and minimum water levels for two consecutive weeks additional actions will take place.
• The South Florida Water Management District will direct the county to limit new construction of Mid-Hawthorn wells within the water shortage area to just potable use. Users would be required to seek different water sources for irrigation purposes.
• The county will limit new potable water wells and replacement wells within the water shortage area to the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer lower portion.
• Zero irrigation days for all Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer users in the water shortage area.
In addition, the plan also lays out restrictions if water levels decline to the minimum flows and minimum water levels for two consecutive weeks.
• The South Florida Water Management District will direct the county to cease issuing new permits for any wells in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer area
• Zero irrigation days will be maintained for those Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer users.
An emergency order was issued on Nov. 28, 2023, declaring a water shortage. The joint action was issued to protect the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, which is in the northeast portion of the city.
In 2020, water levels declined “to the regulatory protection level known as the maximum developable limit.” The district, Lee County and the city have been working together to prevent harm to the domestic drinking water supply of the aquifer, which predominantly has withdrawals from private residential wells in the northeast part of Cape Coral.
The meeting will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.