Cape Coral asks residents to reduce lawn watering as drought conditions persist

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

The City of Cape Coral is requesting that residents voluntarily reduce lawn irrigation to help conserve the city's water supply as drought conditions continue across SW Florida.

Officials are asking residents to cut down irrigation to once per week until the rainy season begins.

The city also advised residents to turn off their irrigation systems when it rains and to check that their rain sensors are working properly to prevent overwatering.

Cape Coral's watering rules differ from those of Lee County. Lee County enforces a watering schedule that applies only to properties in unincorporated Lee County, and other municipalities, such as Cape Coral, have their own irrigation rules.

Cape Coral's current policy has most properties adhering to a two-day-a-week irrigation schedule. However, the area that's pictured below falls under additional restrictions due to the South Florida Water Management District declaring a severe water shortage.

The Modified Phase IV Water Shortage Order was implemented on May 2, 2025, for part of Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee County. The order banned landscape irrigation for the area pictured in the map above for irrigation water supplied by private wells. This was done to protect the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer and conserve water for essential needs, officials said.

The city said properties using private wells have to follow a strict irrigation ban while properties connected to city water remain on the two-day-a-week schedule.

According to the City of Cape Coral, residents can consider the following tips to help conserve water:

• Check sprinkler systems for leaks and overspray.
• Water lawns only during assigned times and avoid watering during windy conditions or rain.
• Use drought-tolerant plants and mulch to retain soil moisture.
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them off.
• Run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers to maximize efficiency.

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