Cape Coral OKs study on potential water source

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CAPE CORAL, Fla. Relief for the city’s water problem could soon be coming from the ground, if not the sky.

City Council on Monday approved a $186,657 purchase order to hire a company to begin a study into whether it can use water from a mining pit in Charlotte County. It could provide an extra 17 million gallons of water per day — the equivalent of about 26 Olympic-sized swimming pools — city officials believe.

The city estimated four weeks ago that it only had about four weeks’ supply left in the freshwater canals that provide drinking water to residents and service to fire hydrants, among other critical functions.

Since then, moderate drought conditions have turned severe, and only isolated rain is in the forecast for the next seven days.

Water is still left in the canals, but the level is so low that canal pumps may soon cease to work, city spokeswoman Connie Barron said.

If the mining pit proves a source of usable water, the city could begin drawing from it by the end of the month. Water conservation measures may be instituted before that.

Residents are urged to water their lawns only once a week instead of the two times they’re currently allowed. Barron said last week that the city is considering making one-day-a-week watering mandatory as soon as this week.

 

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