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Wells are running dry across Cape Coral

Posted at 9:07 PM, Apr 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-08 22:17:46-04

CAPE CORAL, FLA — David Cannestra, the owner of Crystal Clear Water in North Fort Myers, says his phones have ringing off the hook.

"We've been getting 30, 40, 50 calls a day," said Cannestra.

And this is why.

"What's happening is that the water table is dropping and they're becoming an issue and everybody's well is going dry," said Cannestra.

Right now, most of those calls are coming in from all across Cape Coral.

"I noticed right away I had low water pressure," said Cape homeowner Shaun Bassett.

New homeowner, Shaun Bassett says he called for help shortly after that and thankfully was able to get his problem fixed.

"First thing as a homeowner, you think I don't want to spend an extra thousand dollars so lets just get it taken care of," said Bassett.

But by the time Richard Lewis noticed his low water pressure, his Cape Coral well had run dry.

"I mean you're looking at basically seven thousand dollars," said Lewis.

In the meantime, Crystal Clear water has given him a water tank to tide him over.

"Right now there are so many houses out of water in the cape that the well drillers are backed up. You know, I'm basically 12 days out before I can get a well drilled," said Lewis.

It's an expensive fix that the owner of that company says can be avoided with this quick test, using your sprinkler system

If you notice that the water in your sprinklers are pulsing, you'll want to call a water pump company and quick.

If you aren't having trouble, the company and the city encourage you to do this instead.

"We want to make sure everyone knows to limit their water usage, if you can. Don't water your lawn everyday," said Cannestra.

To help with this issue the city of cape coral is asking that you follow it's guidelines and only water your lawn twice a week. If not, you could be cited by code enforcement.

Below is Cape Coral's year round irrigation schedule:

Monday and Friday:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 0
Monday and Friday:
4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 1
Wednesday and Saturday:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 3 and 5
Wednesday and Saturday:
4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 7 and 9
Thursday and Sunday:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for addresses ending in 2 and 4
Thursday and Sunday:
4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for addresses ending in 6 and 8

The city says that non-residential, duplexes and other multi-family units can water on Monday and Friday from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.