Call to conserve water in Cape Coral amid dry season drought issues

A new warning to conserve water during the dry season in Cape Coral after experiencing a severe drought.

It’s become a possibility the city could enter into an ‘extreme drought’ if substantial rain doesn’t fall soon.

The City of Cape Coral is feeling the effects of the 2023 dry season. Freshwater canal levels is the most significant indicator of how severe the drought conditions are.

“We are currently pumping 16 million gallons a day from the reservoir off of US 41 to supplement what would normally be our supply from rainwater or stormwater,” Jeff Pearson, the utilities director of Cape Coral, said.

So far, that hasn’t been enough because of the recent record-breaking heat. To prevent an extreme drought, the city has issued a warning on Friday.

They’re asking homeowners to follow a lawn watering schedule. And, if possible, reduce their usage to once a week.

“During the dry season, normally, a once per week watering, a good watering in will help those plants and shrubbery make it through the dry season until we get into the rainy season,” Pearson said.

The city hopes to reach the goal without damaging long-term water resources. But, rain would be the biggest help.

“We could certainly use more rainfall. And that will if we get at least, you know, two good days of a good rain event. It will recover very quickly,” Pearson said.

But Pearson said until then, anything neighbors can do to help would make a huge difference.

Other suggestions the city recommends neighbors keep in mind are using brooms instead of power washers when cleaning boats and turning off faucets when you aren’t using them.