Cape Coral approves extra $6M for water reservoir project amid severe drought

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral city leaders have approved an additional $6 million to expand a water reservoir project in the city's northeast, to assist in funding the construction of a 3.2-mile 36-inch pipeline on US-41 and a new pump station at the City’s Northeast Reservoir.

The project aimed at addressing the ongoing water scarcity that has left many of the area’s freshwater canals at dangerously low levels.

The decision brings the total project cost to $12 million, with the extra funding supported by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Local officials say the funding will reduce the financial burden on taxpayers as the city works to secure a more dependable water source, especially during the dry season.

As of now, nearly all of Southwest Florida is under severe drought conditions, and Cape Coral is no exception. The city’s freshwater canals, vital to the daily lives of many residents, have been suffering from record-low water levels.

Rose Barton, who has lived on a canal along Nicholas Parkway for 30 years, says the low water levels have become a serious concern for local homeowners. "We live on water like this, and we have such a struggle every year for water," Barton said.

In recent weeks, Barton’s canal looked more like a dry bathtub than a waterway, with levels so low that her boat couldn’t even touch the water. While the water has since risen, she remains skeptical that the solution will last. Barton fears that as the city continues to grow, water levels will once again dip, exacerbating the ongoing issue.

“There’s not going to be a solution because you're robbing Peter to pay Paul," she said.

However, city leaders are optimistic that the expansion of the 3.2-mile 36-inch pipeline
reservoir project will offer a long-term solution. The project, which includes a new water main and pump station, is designed to move excess water from a massive 570-acre reservoir capable of holding 1.5 billion gallons of water.

"As long as we have irrigation water," said Henry Thein, a Cape Coral resident

City officials are confident that the expanded project will help provide more reliable water supply, even during the dry season. The new infrastructure is expected to alleviate some of the stress on the city’s canals, though residents like Barton remain cautiously hopeful.

"I hope we'll have to see. I'm trying to be positive. That's all I can do," Barton said.

This project will now end on April 30, 2029.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.