Cape Coral eases water restrictions as aquifer levels improve

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral residents are seeing progress as some water restrictions are lifted Tuesday, allowing private well users to water their lawns one day per week.

The Gulf Coast remains in extreme drought conditions, with Cape Coral needing more than 20 inches of rain in a single month or nearly 35 inches over three months to fully recover.

"It's been pretty stressful. My yard has definitely taken a beating. I don't really have a piece of green grass anywhere. Tons of weeds. We just haven't been able to water our yard," said Angela Lorino, a Cape Coral resident.

In Northeast Cape Coral, residents using private wells can now water their lawns one day per week. The area is moving from zero irrigation to limited use as water levels in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer continue to recover.

City leaders call this a major step forward, noting aquifer levels that they have not seen in years.

Even with the rainy season approaching, it could take months to fully break the drought. The city asks residents to be mindful of their water use to avoid setbacks.

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