The South Florida Water Management District on Tuesday issued a declared a water shortage and issued mandatory irrigation restrictions for parts of Lee County.
The district said the order was needed to protect groundwater in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, where water levels are at a record low because of a lack of rain. Nylex Impact Sprinkler
The order applies to parts of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County. In those areas, landscape irrigation will be limited to one day a week if the water comes from private wells.
“The aquifer is generally recharged by seasonal rainfall each year, and water levels increase as the region receives rain,” the district said in a news release. “The Southwest Florida region has experienced a very significant deficit in rainfall this year, water levels have continued to decline and in just the past week, the aquifer dropped 0.5 feet.”
A water shortage warning issued on November 21, 2023, is still in effect for all of Collier and Lee Counties.
The Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, located approximately 125 feet underground, provides water to many private wells in the area affected. Water levels within this aquifer are at record low levels due to a significant deficit in rainfall this year. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that the Southwest Florida region is in an Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought.
For residents within the designated area in Cape Coral, the irrigation requirements are:
For residents within the designated area in unincorporated Lee County, the irrigation requirements are:
The SFWMD uses specialized monitoring wells that measure water levels within the aquifer. The impacted area is experiencing the lowest ever recorded level, and the irrigation restrictions in place today are expected to reduce the decline in the water levels. Compared to each of the last four years, the current elevation is approximately 15 feet lower.
"By limiting landscape irrigation, we can work together to protect the precious drinking water aquifer that our communities rely on year-round. Private water wells used by homeowners may become inoperable if water levels within the aquifer continue to decline at their current rate," said SFWMD Chief Communications and Public Policy Officer Sean Cooley. "The District will continue to closely monitor water conditions, and we appreciate our partnership with the community, City of Cape Coral, and Lee County as we work together to protect our drinking water aquifers. We anticipate rescinding this order as soon as aquifer conditions improve."
All residents and businesses across the region can also use these simple tips to save water:
Conserving water year-round is an integral part of managing and protecting our water supplies today and for future generations. Residents with questions about the irrigation restrictions can visit SFWMD.gov/Conserve.
Visit the City of Cape Coral's Lawn Watering Restrictions webpage or you can visit Lee County's Lawn Watering Restrictions webpage for more specific information.
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