Water Conservation

The South Florida Water Management District has declared a severe water shortage in the portion of NE Cape Coral, as shown on the map below, and lawn irrigation is banned in the affected area.

Not sure if you're in an area under water restrictions? Click here to see the map of affected areas

Find Information on:

• Map of Watering Restrictions
• Your Watering Schedule
• How You Can Conserve Water
• Water Efficiency Measures for Landscaping
• Commercial Irrigation

Latest Updates on Irrigation Restriction:

• May 16, 2025: Mandatory Irrigation Connection Letters Mailed to Properties in NE Cape Coral Water-Shortage Area
• May 7, 2025: Cape Coral Provides Guidance for Residents Amid Declining Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer
• May 2, 2025: Lawn Irrigation Banned for Private Well Users in NE Cape Coral
• April 24, 2025: City Urges Immediate Conservation as Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer Reaches Critical Levels

SFWMD Bans Lawn Irrigation for Private Well Users in NE Cape Coral

On May 2, 2025, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) implemented a Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order for a portion of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County, banning landscape irrigation in the designated area for irrigation water supplied by private wells. This action is being taken to protect the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer and ensure water conservation for essential needs.

Water restrictions that are effective immediately include:

• Lawn Irrigation Ban: All residents and businesses using private wells connected to the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer must cease use of their automatic or potable sprinkler systems for lawns and landscaping. The only acceptable irrigation methods are drip irrigation and hand watering.
• City Water Not Affected: This restriction applies to all homes and businesses that receive their irrigation water from a well, as opposed to city water systems, as municipal water is drawn from different sources.
• Hand Watering: Hand watering is permitted on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, but only with a hose equipped with a self-canceling nozzle.
• New Wells and Water Sources: Construction of new Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer wells within the water shortage area is now limited to potable (drinking water) use only. New users seeking irrigation water must use a water source other than the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer.

Watering Schedule

Mandatory 0-Day Watering Schedule for The Above Affected Area During the Emergency Water Shortage in Northeastern Cape Coral

• 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.

Year-Round Cape Coral Watering Schedule*

*Unless Restriction is in Place. See Map Above To Check if You are Within the Restricted Area.

Business (Commercial Properties), Duplexes, and Multi-Family Units:

• For properties or developments up to and including five acres in size that irrigate multiple properties including duplexes, multi-family units, compound use and mixed-use units water on:
  • Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
• For properties or developments more than five acres in size that irrigate multiple properties, including multi-family units, compound use and mixed use units, water on:
  • Mondays and Fridays from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

New Lawns / Landscaping:

• Watering new lawns and landscaping is allowed during a 30-day establishment period on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Irrigation of new landscaping that has been in place for 31 to 90 days shall be allowed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Multi-Family / Commercial Watering:

• Businesses, properties, or developments up to and including five acres in size, including duplexes and multi-family units, may water on Thursday and Sunday from midnight to 4:00 a.m.
• For properties more than five acres in size, including multi-family, compound, and mixed-use units, the watering schedule is Mondays and Fridays from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Businesses with watering times between 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. may water between midnight and 4:00 a.m. so as not to interfere with normal business operations.

How You Can Conserve Water

Bathrooms

• Never use your toilet as a wastebasket and never flush wipes; properly dispose of wipes in the trash.
• Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths. Turn off the water flow while soaping or shampooing.
• If you must use a tub, close the drain before turning on the water and fill the tub only half full. Bathe small children together.
• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it — such as watering a plant or garden.

Kitchen & Laundry

• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush.
• Do not use water to defrost frozen foods. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Use a dishpan for washing and rinsing dishes.
• Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher.
• Add food waste to your compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal.
• Operate the dishwasher only when completely full.
• Use the washing machine’s appropriate water level or load size selection.

Equipment

• Fix leaks: A leaky toilet wastes up to 20 gallons/day. Test for leaks with food coloring in the tank (color in bowl = leak). Repair tips: toiletology.com
• Upgrade toilets: Install ultra-low-flow models or place a weighted container in the tank (ensure it doesn’t block flushing).
• Save water: Use low-flow aerators/showerheads and high-efficiency washing machines to cut water and energy use by 50%.
• Run full loads: Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full; avoid use during heavy rain.
• Compost scraps: Minimize garbage disposal use to save water and reduce septic issues. Compost instead to enrich garden soil.

Outside

• Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing off.
• Wash the car with water from a bucket, or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.
• If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter.
• Lower pool water level to reduce the amount of water splashed out.
• Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when the pool is not being used.

Water Efficiency Measures for Landscaping

Watering

• Follow the City’s year-round irrigation schedule.
• Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only – not the street or sidewalk.
• Install moisture sensors on sprinkler systems.
• Use soaker hoses and trickle irrigation systems.
• Do not water on windy days or in rainy weather.
• Detect and repair all leaks in irrigation systems, and check hoses and sprinkler connections for leaks – a drop wasted each second can add up to a few gallons daily.
• Irrigate your lawn with reclaimed water where available.
• Harvest rain to water flower beds, herb gardens, and potted plants. Rain is free and beneficial for plants because rain does not contain hard minerals. Rain barrels are a good option in Cape Coral.

Maintaining

• Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage water movement to the root zone.
• Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and cut down on weed growth. Mulching reduces water needed in a garden by as much as 50 percent. It also has the benefit of preventing weed growth, deterring pests, stabilizing soil temperature, and, as it decomposes, providing nutrients to the soil.
• Trees and shrubs, which have deep root systems, should be watered longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants, which require smaller amounts of water more often. Check with the local extension service for advice on the amount and frequency of watering needed in your area.
• Raise your lawn mower cutting height – longer grass blades help shade each other, reduce evaporation, and inhibit weed growth.
• Minimize or eliminate fertilizing, which requires additional watering, and promote new growth, which will also need additional watering.

Planting

• Have your soil tested for nutrient content and add organic matter if needed. Good soil absorbs and retains water better.
• Minimize turf areas and use native grasses.
• Use native plants in your landscape that are adapted to the area and need less water. They require less care and water than ornamental varieties. On slopes, native plants will retain water and help reduce runoff.

Ornamental Water Features

• Do not install or use ornamental water features unless they recycle the water. Use signs to indicate that water is recycled. Do not operate during a drought.

Commercial Irrigation

Do you own or manage a commercial building? One of the main benefits of water conservation can be reduced operational costs. Here are some recommendations for making sure that you are using water in the most efficient way.

General Water Saving Tips:

• Perform a facility audit to identify where and how water is being used and could be saved.
• Establish specific water-saving goals and create a plan that includes the measures to be implemented in order to achieve those goals.
• Replace older water-using devices (e.g., faucets, showerheads, toilets) with more efficient ones.
• Promote water saving by educating staff on best management practices.
• Make sure all hoses have automatic shut-off nozzles.
• Install rainwater harvesting systems.
• Install submeters and flowmeters to monitor specific water uses (e.g., cooling towers, irrigation) and identify water-saving opportunities.
• Regularly check cooling systems and water-using devices for leaks.
• Develop a leak detection program and post signs on how to report leaks.