The Mid Hawthorne Aquifer, the primary water source for the northern section of Cape Coral, continues to experience critically low water levels, a condition that spurred conservation mandates a year ago that remain in effect. Map of area directly impacted provided by South Florida Water Management District

With a key source of drinking water — the only source for some residents — near record lows, Cape Coral residents are again urged to conserve water.

The Mid Hawthorne Aquifer, the primary water source for the northern section of Cape Coral, continues to experience critically low water levels, a condition that spurred conservation mandates a year ago that remain in effect.

On Dec. 20, the city shared a Facebook post from the South Florida Water Management District that says the current situation is serious enough that additional restrictions may need to be imposed.

“A portion of the City of Cape Coral and a portion of unincorporated Lee County are experiencing a very serious water shortage!” the post states.

“Because of low aquifer levels, irrigation from the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer is currently restricted to one day per week. A drier than normal dry season is forecasted.

“The Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, located approximately 125 feet underground, provides water to many private wells in this area. Water levels within this aquifer are approaching record low levels.

“If the aquifer drops closer to the ‘significant harm threshold,’ more restrictions will be put into place and residents may no longer be able to use their lawn irrigation systems. Restrictions are put in place to protect the aquifer and drinking water supply.”

The water shortage order with the one-day-a-week watering restriction was issued in November 2023.

Homeowners on wells rely wholly on the Mid-Hawthorne Aquifer for drinking water as well as irrigation.

For those on city utilities, the water supply is groundwater pumped from wells 700 to 800 feet deep, the depth of the Lower Hawthorn Aquifer.

The city source of irrigation water is treated wastewater supplemented from five freshwater canal pumping stations.

From Oct. 10 to Dec. 5, the city only received .81 inches of rain, almost 4 inches below normal of where the city should be at this time during dry season, Utilities Director Jeff Pearson said last month.

“If you think about it, the issue we are facing right now, that water, potable water, has been depleted over many years. It’s at a point it is becoming fairly critical. We have to make major moves to continue its sustainability for a long period of time,” Councilmember Joe Kilraine said. “Action is needed now. It’s at a critical point.”

The aquifer has become critically low because it was not adequately replenished during the normal rain cycle, he said.

He urged conservation.

“We are using too much for the irrigation,” Kilraine said. “Conservation is the key. We don’t have control over our own destiny. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is able to control the use and manage it by state statue.”

He said residents have to be very conscious of the level and participate fully participate in the conservation effort.

For those on wells, help is on the way but it is going to be another few years before relief is felt.

The North 1 Utilities Expansion Project will address about 75% of the impacted area by 2027, and North 6 UEP will complete the remaining 25% by 2030, Kilraine said.

“We have to buy ourselves a little bit of room here and that will be done through conservation. That is key for the residents,” Kilraine said. “Use sparingly irrigation.”

“Water is the most valuable thing we have here from a natural resource standpoint, and we have to protect it,” Kilraine said.

Other suggested methods of conservation include watering lawns early in the morning on their irrigation day to reduce evaporation, use drought-tolerant plants and repair leaks in irrigation systems, faucets and toilets.

Meanwhile, there is a joint action plan being worked on among the city, Lee County, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Pearson said at a December City Council.