Cape Coral launches joint plan to protect Mid Hawthorne Aquifer from water shortages

The Cape Coral City Council meeting on March 5, 2025, focused on a critical joint action plan aimed at protecting the Mid Hawthorne Aquifer and ensuring a sustainable drinking water supply for residents in the Northeast Cape Coral area. This collaborative effort involves the South Florida Water Management District, Lee County, and the city of Cape Coral.

Key objectives of the plan include preventing permanent damage to the aquifer and addressing the ongoing water shortage. The district has already implemented a modified phase 3 water shortage, limiting irrigation to once a week in the Northeast quadrant of Cape Coral. To enhance compliance, the city has increased code enforcement staff during the dry season.

Significant developments discussed include the acceleration of the North Water Reclamation Facility, expected to be completed by 2030, and the purchase of the Southwest Aggregates mine, which will be converted into a reservoir for irrigation water. Additionally, new wells will be drilled into the lower portion of the Mid Hawthorne Aquifer to improve resource management.

The council also proposed an ordinance mandating connections to the city's irrigation water system within 180 days for properties near reclaimed water pipelines. This measure aims to reduce reliance on private groundwater wells, which have contributed to the aquifer's decline.

Future actions outlined in the plan include restrictions on new well construction if water levels drop below critical thresholds. Currently, water levels are nearing a concerning low, prompting the district to prepare for potential zero irrigation days for users in the water shortage area.

The meeting underscored the urgency of addressing the declining water levels and the collaborative efforts being made to educate the community about the situation. The city, county, and district will continue to work together to implement communication strategies to raise awareness and promote responsible water use among residents.