Cape Coral accelerating water construction...

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

The city of Cape Coral is speeding up their utilities extension project, also known as UEP, up to five years. The project is leaving some areas in the city without water.

"I've seen a lot of ups, and I've seen a lot of downs around here," said Brain Kaminski.

Brian Kaminski lives in the part of northeast Cape Coral that's dealing with a water shortage right now, even though he has access to water he chooses to be careful.

"I'm not the biggest fan to be honest when it comes down to me taking a shower sometimes I feel like I still have something stuck on me, it's more like a chlorine feel you can definitely see it, you can definitely taste it," he emphasized.

Kaminski's home is one of the many in the cape that is hooked up to well water. The city is currently trying to switch every home over to city water through its Utilities Extension Project.

"We got construction going on about these roads, and I mean, that's the least of our worries. We would rather buy new tires then have to spend $5,000 on a RO system to clean the water," said Kaminski.

People who live nearby are concerned about the disruption to their lives once construction starts.

"I am not looking forward to when they come through here, digging up my road for a year, and have every access to my house for a year and having a big dust bowl," said John Goselin.

On Wednesday, city council approved a plan to prioritize the project area known as North 6, in the northeast part of the city. The plan would deliver city water to that part of the cape five years earlier than expected, since it's the part that's most affected by the ongoing water shortage. Councilwoman Laurie Lehman voted for it.

"Originally we were looking at 2040, 2037, now we're looking at 2030 it makes a big difference, that's all the sooner that people will have water," said Laurie Lehman.

The first phase of the project, North 1 West, is expected to come online this year. The city says they expect that will help replenish the aquifer, since fewer people will be pulling from wells.

North 6 is expected to be fully online in 2030.