Cape Coral Watering Schedule 2024
The City of Cape Coral has a year-round watering schedule designed to ensure efficient landscape irrigation while allowing enough water to maintain healthy landscapes. You can find the latest information on the Cape Coral website, as well as details on exceptions for new lawns and landscaping. Learn about the new year-round two-day irrigation watering schedule that applies to all Cape Coral residents. Find out the watering days and times based on your address and the exceptions for new lawns and landscaping.
Year-Round Watering Schedule
The City of Cape Coral’s year-round watering schedule is designed to ensure efficient landscape irrigation while allowing enough water to maintain healthy landscapes. The schedule, which was approved by the city council in June 2022, allows residents to water their lawns twice a week, based on a schedule determined by their house number. The times are scheduled in 4-hour slots between 8 PM and 8 AM; Sprinklers should never be on during the daytime hours after 8 AM. You are able to turn them on for a short time only for hand watering.
To find out more, you can pull up Cape Coral’s watering schedule online to know your times to set your timer and avoid getting violations. The schedule increases the number of time slots from 12 to 20 and removes Tuesday as a non-watering day. City of Cape Coral Officials say by increasing the number of time slots, the city can better manage the water resources in the area. The change in the schedule is also meant to protect the environment. The city’s water schedule is designed to reduce the demand for water and save water.
Watering Days and Times
The City of Cape Coral’s year-round watering schedule allows residents to water their lawns twice a week, based on a schedule determined by their house number. The times are scheduled in 4-hour slots between 8 PM and 8 AM. For example, if your address ends in 0, you are allowed to water on Monday and Friday from midnight to 4 AM. If your address ends in 1, you are allowed to water on Monday and Friday from 4 AM to 8 AM. The schedule continues in this pattern for all addresses ending in 0-9.
The city’s water schedule is designed to reduce the demand for water and save water. The new schedule goes into effect from the beginning of February through the end of May. The county says the move is to conserve water and protect the aquifer. The city council approved a year-round, two-day irrigation watering schedule in June 2022 to reduce demand and save water. The schedule increases the number of time slots from 12 to 20 and removes Tuesday as a non-watering day.
Exceptions for New Lawns and Landscaping
The City of Cape Coral understands that new lawns and landscaping require additional watering to establish themselves. Therefore, there are exceptions to the regular watering schedule for new plantings. Additional watering for up to 60 days is allowed for the installation of new lawns and landscaping. Soil irrigation is allowed immediately prior to planting. New plantings and soil may be irrigated once without regard to watering days/times. Watering may be conducted at any time during the first 30 days after installation. However, after 31 days, the watering must be done only before 9 a.m. and/or after 5 p.m.
During the first 30 days after installation, new lawns may be watered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and/or Sunday. However, from 31-60 days after installation, the watering is restricted to Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Irrigation is limited to areas containing new landscaping only. An entire irrigation zone may be watered only if new landscaping is planted on at least 50 percent of that zone. If less than 50 percent, only the new plantings may be watered.
Emergency Watering Restrictions
In the event of a water shortage, Cape Coral may implement emergency watering restrictions to conserve water. These restrictions may be more stringent than the regular watering schedule. The City of Cape Coral will notify residents of any emergency restrictions through various channels, including the city website, social media, and local news outlets. The restrictions may include a mandatory one-day watering schedule, depending on the address. Hand watering is allowed at any time during this period.
In 2022, Cape Coral implemented a Stage 1 Water Shortage Condition due to an abnormally dry season. This restriction limited lawn and landscape watering to a mandatory one-day watering schedule. The goal of the restriction was to reduce the demand for water and help the freshwater canals fill back up. The City of Cape Coral will continue to monitor water levels and adjust restrictions as needed.
Water Conservation Tips
Conserving water is essential, especially during dry seasons. The City of Cape Coral encourages its residents to adopt water-saving practices both indoors and outdoors. Here are some tips to help you conserve water⁚
- Water your lawn efficiently⁚ Water deeply and infrequently. Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day, as much of the water will evaporate. Adjust your irrigation system to ensure that water is not being wasted on sidewalks, driveways, or streets.
- Choose drought-tolerant plants⁚ Select plants that are native to the region or are known to thrive in dry conditions. These plants require less watering and can help reduce your water bill.
- Fix leaks⁚ Promptly repair any leaks in your plumbing or irrigation system. Even a small leak can waste significant amounts of water over time.
- Use a rain barrel⁚ Collect rainwater to use for watering your plants. This helps conserve water and can be a great way to reduce your dependence on municipal water.
- Water wisely indoors⁚ Take shorter showers, install low-flow showerheads and faucets, and fix leaky toilets.
Reporting Watering Violations
The City of Cape Coral takes water conservation seriously and enforces its watering schedule to ensure sustainable water usage. If you observe a violation of the watering schedule, you can report it to the City.
To report a watering violation, you can follow these steps⁚
- Gather information⁚ Note the address of the property where the violation is occurring, the date and time of the violation, and any other relevant details, such as the type of violation (e.g., watering outside of designated days or times, excessive watering).
- Contact Code Enforcement⁚ You can report watering violations by calling the City’s Code Enforcement Department at (239) 574-0555. You can also report violations online through the City’s website.
- Provide details⁚ When you report a violation, be prepared to provide the information you gathered, including the address, date, time, and type of violation. This will help the Code Enforcement Department investigate the matter efficiently.
By reporting watering violations, you help ensure that the City’s water resources are managed responsibly and sustainably.
Cape Coral Water Shortage Condition
The City of Cape Coral, like many areas in Southwest Florida, experiences periods of drought and water shortages. To address these challenges, the City implements a water shortage condition system, which outlines various stages of restrictions based on the severity of the water shortage. These stages determine the level of water conservation measures that residents and businesses are required to follow.
The City’s water shortage condition system is designed to protect the local water supply, ensure equitable water distribution, and encourage responsible water usage. The City will communicate any water shortage conditions through its website, social media channels, and local media outlets. By staying informed about the current water shortage condition, residents can adjust their water usage accordingly and contribute to the preservation of the City’s water resources.
Cape Coral’s Efforts to Enforce Watering Schedule
The City of Cape Coral is committed to enforcing its watering schedule to ensure the conservation of water resources and the protection of the local environment. Code enforcement officers actively patrol the city to identify and address violations of the watering schedule. These officers utilize various methods, such as visual inspections, reports from residents, and aerial surveillance, to monitor water usage and ensure compliance.
Residents and businesses that are found in violation of the watering schedule may face fines or other penalties. The City encourages residents to report any suspected violations to the Code Enforcement Department so that appropriate action can be taken. By working together, the City and its residents can ensure that the watering schedule is effectively enforced and that Cape Coral’s water resources are preserved for future generations.
Cape Coral’s Water Supply
Cape Coral’s water supply is primarily derived from the Upper Floridan Aquifer, a vast underground reservoir that provides water to much of Southwest Florida. The City also utilizes a dual-water system, which allows residents to choose between using city water or well water for irrigation. While the Upper Floridan Aquifer is a significant source of water, it is essential to manage and conserve this valuable resource. To address potential water shortages and ensure the long-term sustainability of the city’s water supply, Cape Coral has implemented a two-day watering schedule and encourages residents to practice water conservation measures.
In addition to the aquifer, Cape Coral has also explored alternative water sources to augment its supply. In 2024, the City Council approved the purchase of 1,202 acres of land in Charlotte County, which will be used to develop a reservoir to provide additional water for the city. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the long-term availability of water for Cape Coral’s growing population and its vital economic activities.
Additional Watering Changes
The Cape Coral watering schedule is subject to adjustments based on prevailing weather conditions and water resource availability. For example, during periods of prolonged drought or excessive water usage, the city may implement stricter water restrictions. These restrictions could include a reduction in the number of watering days per week or limitations on the time of day when irrigation is allowed. The city will notify residents of any such changes through various channels, including the city website, social media, and local media outlets.
It is vital for residents to stay informed about any modifications to the watering schedule and adhere to the current restrictions. By understanding and following these guidelines, Cape Coral residents can contribute to responsible water management and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the city’s water supply.