Aquifer plan may bring restrictions – Cape Coral Breeze
Aquifer plan may bring restrictions Cape Coral Breeze
sdgtalks
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Water Conservation in Cape Coral
If water levels continue to drop in the primary source of water in north Cape Coral, new well permits could be limited or put in hiatus and homeowners could face a total ban on irrigation.
Joint Action Plan for Water Conservation
The Cape Coral City Council approved additional measures on Wednesday night to address the declining levels of the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer. This joint action plan involves the South Florida Water Management District, Lee County, and the city of Cape Coral.
Protecting the Aquifer and Ensuring Drinking Water Supply
The primary goal of the action plan is to protect the aquifer, which serves as the source of water for properties not connected to city utilities. The plan aims to prevent permanent damage to the aquifer and ensure a sustainable drinking water supply for domestic users. It is important to note that city-provided potable water comes from a deeper aquifer that is not affected by the declining levels.
Actions Taken to Date
- Limiting irrigation to one day a week in the northeast quadrant of Cape Coral
- Accelerating the North 6 Utility Expansion Project expansion by 2030
- Completing North 1 west by the end of this year
- Completing North 1 east by 2027
- Drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer (approximately 250 feet in production zone two)
Most of the existing wells are located in the production zone one of the aquifer.
Future Actions
If the aquifer declines less than 10 feet (93 feet for two consecutive weeks), the following actions will be implemented:
- Limiting construction of new wells to potable use only
- Restricting new potable wells and replacement wells within the shortage area to a depth of 250 feet
- Implementing zero irrigation days
According to Utilities Director Jeff Pearson, the current water level is approximately 91 feet below land surface, which is just 2 feet away from triggering the future actions.
If the water level declines another 10 feet for two consecutive weeks, the following measures will be taken:
- Ceasing new permits for wells
- Implementing zero irrigation days for all private well users
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs Addressed in the Article:
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Specific Targets Identified:
- SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- SDG 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
Indicators Mentioned or Implied:
- Water level in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer
- Limiting irrigation to one day a week
- Accelerating the North 6 Utility Expansion Project
- Drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer
- Decline of the aquifer by 10 feet for two consecutive weeks
- Limiting construction of new wells to potable use
- Implementation of zero irrigation days
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | – Water level in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer – Limiting irrigation to one day a week – Drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. | – Accelerating the North 6 Utility Expansion Project – Decline of the aquifer by 10 feet for two consecutive weeks – Limiting construction of new wells to potable use – Implementation of zero irrigation days |
The article addresses or connects to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
2. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the water level in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, limiting irrigation to one day a week, drilling new and replacement wells into the lower portion of the aquifer, the decline of the aquifer by 10 feet for two consecutive weeks, limiting construction of new wells to potable use, and the implementation of zero irrigation days.
These indicators provide measurable data and actions that can be monitored to assess progress towards increasing water-use efficiency, ensuring sustainable water withdrawals, addressing water scarcity, reducing the impact of water-related disasters, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Source: capecoralbreeze.com
