Lee, Collier water shortage warning lifted after heavy rain

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — The South Florida Water Management District lifted the water shortage warning on Thursday that had been in place for Lee and Collier counties since February.

The recent rain has changed the picture. Since the wet season began in mid-May, the area has received more than 4.5 inches of rain, about 40% more than normal for this time of year.

That water shortage warning was issued in February during the height of the drought, when the underground water supply dropped. It encouraged residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use where they could.

The extra rainfall helped raise groundwater levels by about three feet. That's why water managers feel they can rescind the warning.

Even so, the district is still encouraging residents to use water wisely. They're essentially saying the area is okay right now, but residents shouldn't waste water and end up back where they started.

A separate water shortage is still in effect for parts of northeast Cape Coral.